Alex was slightly stunned as he saw Claire’s lawyer entering her office. “Your lawyer?” he said, his surprise evident.
Claire, clearly annoyed, responded, “Yes. Now, Alex, it’s best if you leave.”
Alex frowned, his irritation growing. “We haven’t finished our talk, Claire.”
“There is nothing more to talk about,” Claire replied firmly. She called out, “Matthew.”
Matthew, understanding her unspoken request, moved to escort Alex out. This only made Alex more irritated. “I know the way out,” he snapped, brushing past Matthew.
Matthew closed the door behind Alex, leaving him in the hallway. Alex sighed deeply, muttering to himself, “I can’t be involved in what Claire’s doing.” He pulled out his phone and decided to call Lisa, determined to have a word with her. Inside Claire’s office, she moved to the couch and offered a seat to her lawyer, Mr. Ronald. They sat on opposite sides, a coffee table between them.
Mr. Ronald adjusted his glasses and looked at Claire attentively. “What can I help you with, Ms. Peterson?”
“I want to sue someone,” Claire stated, her tone resolute.
Mr. Ronald nodded, pulling out a notepad. “Alright, and what are you suing this person for?”
“Defamation and violation of privacy,” Claire answered, her voice steady and cold.
Mr. Ronald looked up, his expression serious. “Who is this person?”
“Lisa Thompson,” Claire said coldly.
Her lawyer nodded in understanding. “Okay. Do you have evidence to support your claims?”
Claire nodded. “Yes, I have collected enough evidence to prove both defamation and invasion of privacy.”
Mr. Ronald leaned forward, pen poised over his notepad. “Let’s go over the details. Start with the defamation. What exactly did she say or do?”
Alex sat back at his desk, staring at the phone in his hand. He hesitated for a moment before dialing Lisa’s number. It didn’t take long for her to answer, her small voice barely audible through the line.
“Alex?” Lisa’s voice quivered slightly.
“Lisa,” Alex said firmly, “there’s something I need to ask you.”
On the other side, Lisa felt a knot of anxiety tightening in her stomach. She played nervously with the hem of her shirt, her fingers trembling. “What is it, Alex?”
Alex’s tone was unyielding. “What was the terrible mistake you made?”
Lisa’s mind raced. She knew she couldn’t lie to Alex again he wouldn’t help her if he caught her in another lie. But telling him the whole truth was also out of the question. She took a deep breath, trying to sound genuinely upset. “I can’t tell you, Alex. It’s… too complicated,” she said, faking a sob.
What came next took her by surprise. “Were you the one behind the post about my marriage with Claire?” Alex asked coldly.
Lisa’s mouth gaped open, and she stammered, struggling to find words. “I… I…”
Alex raised his brows, waiting for her response. “Well? Was it you?”
Lisa’s heart pounded in her chest as she searched for an explanation. Finally, she whispered, “Yes, it was me.”
Alex sighed harshly. “I can’t believe you’re trying to manipulate me into believing you’re the victim, Lisa. I can’t believe I even answered your call, knowing it would be another lie.”
Tears stung Lisa’s eyes as she heard his words. “Alex, please, I didn’t mean to hurt you. I’m sorry. I just…”
“Stop calling me, Lisa,” Alex interrupted. “I don’t want anything to do with you ever again.”
Lisa’s heart shattered at his words. “Alex, please, don’t cut me off. I’m sorry.” she begged, but the line had already gone dead.
In a fit of despair, Lisa threw her phone across the room and cried loudly, She buried her face in her hands and cried loudly, her sobs echoing through the room.
Her mother, passing by Lisa’s room, heard the cries and immediately rushed in. “Lisa, what’s the matter?” she asked, concern etched on her face.
Lisa only sobbed louder, unable to form coherent words. Her mother sat on the bed next to her, gently touching her shoulder in an attempt to comfort her.
“Lisa, sweetheart, please, tell me what’s wrong,” her mother urged softly.
But Lisa pushed her away, yelling, “Get out! It’s all your fault! Because of your plan, everything is messed up!”
Her mother, taken aback and confused, asked, “What do you mean by that, Lisa? What plan?”
ret
Lisa stood up from her bed, her face red and tear-streaked. She grabbed her mother’s arm and pulled her towards the door. “I’m going to jail because of you!” she screamed, shoving her mother out of the room and slamming the door in her face.
Her mother stood outside the door, worried and confused. She knocked on the door, trying to get Lisa to open it. “Lisa, please, let’s talk about this. What are you talking about? Open the door, honey.”
But it was no use. Lisa had locked the door and refused to respond. Inside her room, she crumpled to the floor, her cries turning into quiet, desperate sobs. She felt utterly alone and betrayed.
Her mother, still standing outside the door, tried to reason with her. “Lisa, whatever it is, we can figure it out together. Just let me in. We can talk.”
But Lisa remained silent, her mind racing with fear and anger. She thought back to how it all began, how her mother’s scheme had seemed like a good idea at the time. Now, it was all falling apart, and she was the one paying the price. Her mother’s voice grew more frantic. “Lisa, please, don’t shut me out. I love you. We can fix this.”
Lisa finally spoke, her voice hoarse from crying. “You can’t fix this, Mom. It’s too late.”
Her mother felt a pang of guilt and helplessness. She leaned her forehead against the door, whispering, “I’m so sorry, Lisa. I never meant for any of this to happen.”
Inside, Lisa heard her mother’s words but felt no comfort. She felt trapped, her world crumbling around her. She had no idea what to do next, and the fear of jail loomed over her like a dark cloud.
Her mother had finally given up trying to talk through the door, retreating to her own room, where she sat on her bed, wracked with guilt and worry.
Back at Metacortex, Claire’s lawyer,
Mr. Ronald, was taking notes as
Claire
case the details of her
case. The room was filled with the faint hym of the air conditioner the quiet rustle of papers, and the Occasional sound of a pen scratching across the page.
“And that’s all,” Claire said finally, leaning back in her chair with a sigh of relief.
Mr. Johnson looked up from his notepad, his expression serious. “Is there any more evidence or detail I should know about?”
Claire shook her head. “No, that’s everything that happened.”
He nodded thoughtfully, tapping his pen against the notepad. “Alright, Claire. I have everything I need. You’re ready for court.”
“Good,” Claire replied. “Please send Ms. Thompson the documents so she can be prepared as well.”
Mr. Ronald nodded again. “Of course. I’ll make sure she gets them.”
That night, Lisa walked into her
dimly lit kitchen. She flicked on the light and noticed a few pieces of mail on the counter. Sorting through the envelopes, she paused when she saw one with her name on it Her heart skipped a beat as she tore it open and read the contents.
Her face contorted with rage as she realized what it was. “Damn you, Claire Peterson!” she shouted, ripping the paper to shreds and scattering the pieces across the kitchen floor.
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