Lawyer With Spoilers: Saving My Sister, Dooming Him

"The FMC is still crying? The MMC has already noticed that her location isn't at home. He's stopped an important meeting and is coming to get her himself!"

"The MMC is already downstairs! He'll be here any second!"

"Is this story finally going to reach its climax? I've got my popcorn ready!"

My heart sank, and a chill shot from my feet to the top of my head.

Darn it, how did he get here so fast?

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to calm down.

Reaching under my desk, I pulled a blank retainer agreement and gently slid it in front of Eliana. Then I leaned in close to her ear, whispering my instructions one word at a time.

"Listen carefully. I'm going to step out. After I leave, lock this door from the inside. No matter who knocks or whatever they say, don't open the door for anyone but me. Do you understand?"

Eliana looked up sharply, her eyes misty as they fixed on me. Fear, helplessness, despair, and a faint, almost imperceptible flicker of hope twisted together in her gaze.

She didn't say anything. She just stared at me, then nodded heavily with every ounce of strength she had.

I stood up, opened the door, and stepped out.

After closing the door behind me, I deliberately lingered outside for two seconds. In the quiet hallway, I heard the crisp click of the door locking.

Almost at the same moment, a sudden commotion erupted from the reception area. The barely suppressed gasps of the receptionist were mixed with the sharp, heavy, and cold sounds of leather shoes striking the marble floor. The footsteps grew closer, closing in step by step.

The comments scrolled past my eyes again.

"He's here! That monster is finally here!"

"The overbearing MMC has officially entered the chat!"

I stood outside the consultation room, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst through my chest.

The commotion at the front desk grew louder. I didn't need to look to know that Eliana's husband, Darren Carney, had arrived at the firm.

Without looking back, I walked straight toward the reception area. After just a few steps, Steven Lewis, the director of the firm, called me urgently, his voice panicked.

"Evelyn, come to the main conference room right away. There's a very important guest who specifically asked to see you."

A scoff escaped me. An important guest? More like a lethal one.

I straightened my suit jacket, buried all the emotions in my eyes, then pushed open the conference room door with a blank expression.

Darren was seated at the head of the table. He wore a perfectly tailored, high-end custom suit. His demeanor was refined and aloof, his features sharp and striking. A gentle, perfectly measured smile played on his lips, making him look every bit the rising star of the business world, as well as a loving, devoted husband.

Seeing me walk in, he immediately got to his feet and extended his hand to me with polished elegance.

"Ms. Norris, I've heard so much about you. I apologize for the unannounced visit."

I gave him a brief handshake. All I felt on my fingertips was a piercing chill. There wasn't a hint of warmth to be found.

The chat went wild again.

"Wow! As expected of an award-winning-level MMC. With how refined and elegant he looks, who would guess he'd torture the FMC and the child to death?"

As if completely unaware of my distance and wariness, Darren let out a soft sigh. He picked up a neatly bound document and slid it toward me gently.

"This is Ellie's medical record. The diagnosis was personally issued by Dr. Bailey at St. Luke's Mental Health Center. Ellie's postpartum depression hasn't improved, and it's accompanied by severe persecutory delusions. She's convinced that I'm trying to hurt her and is always trying to run away from home.

"Did she tell you a bunch of weird nonsense today? I'm sorry for the trouble she's caused you."

I glanced down at the so-called diagnosis. It was printed on high-quality paper, with all the official stamps, and all the clauses were written professionally, without a single apparent flaw.

But I'd just seen Eliana with my own two eyes. Her thinking was clear, and her speech was coherent. Aside from extreme fear and helplessness, there weren't the slightest signs of mental instability.