Advanced Chapters and Daily Update on:
patreon.com/Dreamwalker1
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liam Pov
The next morning came early or rather, it was dragged into existence by Eve.
[Wake up, Liam. It's time. Today is important]
Her voice pulsed in my mind like a firm hand on the shoulder, insistent but not unkind.
I groaned and sat up in bed, rubbing my face. My eyes stung from a shorter sleep than I wanted, but there was no point lingering.
A run always cleared my head so I changed into my workout clothes, laced up my shoes, and hit the street.
The morning air was crisp, carrying with it the faint tang of exhaust from the city just waking up.
My feet pounded against the pavement in rhythm, heart climbing in steady beats as I pushed myself down familiar blocks.
By the time I returned, sweat soaked through my shirt and lungs burned — a good burn, the kind that told me I was alive, ready.
The apartment was quiet when I stepped back in.
Emma was gone. No note, no sound of her humming from the kitchen.
'Probably went to work or maybe a morning date with the Hulk?'
I dropped my keys onto the counter, peeled off my clothes, and headed straight for the shower.
Hot water rolled down my skin, washing away the sweat, the exhaustion, and maybe even some of the tension that lurked under my ribs.
I stared at the tile, letting steam fill the bathroom, while today's weight slowly settled on my shoulders.
When I stepped out, I was no longer the man who had woken up tired and unkempt.
I buttoned into a dark gray suit, slim cut, with a faint pinstripe that only showed when the light hit just right.
The crisp white shirt beneath contrasted sharply, and the navy tie brought just enough color to keep it from being too grave.
Black Oxfords polished to a mirror shine completed the look. A lawyer's uniform, yes, but also a soldier's armor.
I locked the apartment and descended to the basement garage where my bike waited.
The machine roared to life beneath me, its familiar vibration carrying me across the city toward my usual breakfast spot — Harry's Diner.
The neon sign buzzed faintly overhead as I parked and slipped inside.
The scent of frying bacon and brewed coffee was heavy in the air, but I wasn't hungry. Not today.
"Just coffee," I told the waitress. She nodded, poured it black, and slid it across.
The ceramic cup was warm in my hands, grounding.
[Nervous?] Eve asked, her tone laced with curiosity rather than doubt.
I sipped, let the bitter heat wash over my tongue, and shook my head. "No," I murmured under my breath, low enough that anyone watching would think I was muttering to myself.
"I've been here before, Eve. In my previous life I was a lawyer who lost everything — crushed under a corrupt system, left to die in its shadow but here?" I smirked into my cup. "Here, even if the system tries to crush me, I have power. Real power. Enough to bend it back. Enough to win and I won't feel guilt for it, because that's how the world works. The strong decide."
[So in this case?]
"In this case," I said, setting the cup down, "I'm going to overpower. No matter what."
Eve's presence hummed with something that felt like approval. [Good. That's the right answer]
I drained the rest of my coffee, tossed a clean ten on the counter — a little more than necessary for a simple cup, but I liked Harry's place, and I wanted it to stay.
I walked out, swung onto my bike, and rode toward the DA's office.
The office was quiet when I arrived, the morning not yet in full swing.
I reached my office and took my seat, placed my bag on the desk, and stared at the empty space in front of me.
To anyone else, it might have looked like I was broken, vacant but in truth, my HUD flickered faintly before me, files and data points scrolling past as I memorized every detail of the Hale case again and again.
The door burst open without so much as a knock.
Cameron Dennis.
He walked in with his usual smugness, that permanent smirk carved onto his face as though life itself was his private joke.
Behind him, Beth hovered with an anxious expression. She tried to stop him, I could tell, but Cameron didn't respect boundaries.
He never did I guess.
I didn't move. Just kept my eyes fixed on the invisible display only I could see.
Beth looked at me, her lips pressing into a line before she shook her head and retreated to her desk.
She looked hurt, maybe even a little defeated.
Probably thinking my career would burn out in its first trial.
Cameron strolled up to my desk, leaned slightly on it as though he owned the space. "Hope you're ready for today's hearing, kid."
I said nothing.
"No leads, no evidence to support your little crusade," he went on, voice dripping condescension.
"I told you this case was a black hole but hey, maybe it'll be a good lesson for you. Losing early teaches humility. You'll thank me someday."
He turned to leave, clearly satisfied with himself. But I finally spoke.
"Do you still have my watch?"
He paused, eyebrows quirking as he looked back. Then he smirked. "You're not getting it back, kid. You lost it, remember?"
"Do you remember," I asked calmly, still not looking at him, "that you promised to fulfill two requests of mine?"
Cameron scoffed, shaking his head. "Kid, you lost. There are no requests. No watch. Nothing."
I didn't argue. Didn't even blink. I just kept staring straight through the HUD, voice steady, detached. "I'll meet you later. To make my requests."
That unsettled him, though he tried not to show it. His smirk flickered before returning. "You've gone nuts," he muttered, heading for the door. On his way out, he threw a glance at Beth. "Better take care of him. Kid's cracking already."
The door shut behind him.
Beth sat down at her desk, but I caught the worried look on her face before she lowered her gaze.
She didn't know. None of them did. That I wasn't "spacing out," but sharpening myself against the HUD's glow, burning through every critical point of evidence, every loophole, every thread I could pull.
Eve's voice pressed gently. I've highlighted the key arguments. Focus on them. The rest can wait.
I nodded faintly. "Got it."
With a breath, I shut down the HUD, pushed back from my desk, and rose to my feet. My bag was already packed. My suit was straight and my mind was steel.
When I stepped out into the hall, Beth was still at her desk. She looked up as I approached.
"Good luck," she said softly.
I gave her a small smile. "How would you feel about becoming my permanent assistant?"
She blinked, caught off guard. "I'm only temporarily assigned to you, Liam. After this case, if Mr. Cameron has his way, there's a high chance you won't have anyone assigned for a while."
I tilted my head. "That's not what I asked."
Her lips parted, then softened into a gentle smile. "It would be nice."
I nodded, satisfied. Adjusted my tie, gripped my bag, and continued down the hall.
The glass doors of the DA's office opened, spilling me into the crisp daylight. I walked the steps down, crossed the lot, and mounted my bike. The engine growled to life beneath me.
I revved once, slipped my helmet on, and pulled away.
Destination: Manhattan Criminal Courthouse
Today wasn't the end of the Hale
It was only the beginning.
-----END-----
Advanced Chapters and Daily Update on My Patreon:
patreon.com/Dreamwalker1
Other Fanfictions
Jackie Chan Adventures : Bruce Chan