The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 24
Thursday evening came and we were once again settled into the spacious
conference room. Timothy had yet to arrive, so it was just Linda and I trapped in
each other's company. I couldn't help but notice how she arranged the files and
documents on her desk, subtly pushing my work to the sidelines.
She turned to me, her lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
“Evie, I've reviewed your initial work on Mr. Hayes* case,” she said, her voice
oozing with condescension. “I have a few ideas on how to proceed. You can
assist me by taking notes during the meeting with Timothy this afternoon.”
Assist. The word stung like a slap to the face. I had spent weeks preparing for
this case, diving into the legal intricacies, and now Linda was reducing me to a
mere note—taker. I clenched my fists, trying to swallow the anger that was
bubbling up inside me.
“Actually, Linda, I'd like to discuss some of my ideas for the case during the
meeting.” I responded, my voice steady.
Linda raised an eyebrow, her icy blue eyes studying me with a calculated look.
“Evie, this is a high-stakes case, and I have extensive experience in handling
such matters. I'll be taking the lead during the meeting.”
I could feel my cheeks flushing with anger, but I had to choose my battles wisely.
With gritted teeth, I agreed, “Okay, Linda. Have it your way.”
There was a light knock on the door and Timothy poked his head in. “Good
evening.”
I opened my mouth, ready to greet him, but Linda beat me to it. “Hello, Mr.
Hayes!”
He shut the door and took the seat next to me, nodding at me in greeting. “Hope I
didn’t take too long. Hockey practice ran late today.”
“You're right on time,” I was able to slip in before Linda could. “I hope practice
went well.”
He snorted, folding his arms over his chest. “What little practice I could get in,
yeah.”
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Chapter 24
“We should get started,” Linda interrupted, putting away any need for
pleasantries. She shifted her chair over so that she was within armlength of
Timothy, then picked up her folder. “Mr. Hayes, I trust you were able to read my
email all the way through last night?”
I raised an eyebrow and turned to Timothy. “Email? What email?”
“Oh, Ms. Turner just provided be with her own analysis and suggestions,”
Timothy explained, then turned to her. “I did look through it all and I came up with
a few questions...”
“Hold on.” I held up a hand, drawing their attention back to me. “Linda, I've
already prepared a detailed analysis of the case, and I think it's crucial that we go
over it during the meeting.”
Linda's response was dismissive, as if she couldn't be bothered with my input.
“Evie, I've already outlined the agenda for the meeting. We'll discuss my strategy,
and I'll handle the presentation.”
I refused to back down. “Linda, I've been working on this case from the
beginning. My analysis could provide valuable insights that could help us win this
case.”
Her eyes narrowed, and she leaned in closer, her voice dripping with
condescension. “Evie, this is my case now, and I'll decide what's important. You'll
have your chance to shine later.”
I pressed on regardless, ignoring her cold stare, “But I wanted to address the
instances of discriminatory language used within the team’s internal.
communications. These messages make it abundantly clear that Mr. Hayes"
reduced playtime is not based on performance but rather on biased judgments.”
Linda turned to me, her eyes flashing with irritation. “Evie, I've got it covered,”
she replied curtly. “I appreciate your input, but we're following my strategy here.”
I was stunned by her response, even more so since she was undermining me in
front of Timothy. I felt a surge of anger building within me, but I had to maintain.
my composure for Timothy's sake.
“Actually,” Timothy chimed in, startling us both, “I'm interested in hearing what
Evie has to say. I'm more familiar with her thought process, after all.”
Linda's irritation was evident, but she begrudgingly relented, though not without a
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Wed, 20
Chapter 24
hint of condescension. “Very well, we can hear what Ms. Sinclair has to say.”
52%
The meeting continued, but the atmosphere remained tense. I presented my
research, my heart pounding with a mix of anxiety and determination. More than
ever, the threat of screwing up seemed detrimental.
As I presented my findings, Timothy leaned forward, his eyes fixed on me with a
focused intensity. He asked questions, probing and inquisitive. It was a moment
of validation, a glimmer of hope that my hard work might not be in vain. Linda
watched with barely concealed irritation.
After the meeting concluded, Linda wasted no time in cornering me as we exited
the conference room. She wore a wide, almost chilling smile however, though her
voice had an edge to it.
“Thank you for your assistance,” she said through gritted teeth. “Though I would
appreciate it if you didn’t challenge me in front of our client.”
I lifted an eyebrow, observing the fragility in her supposedly content demeanor.
“With all due respect, Ms. Turner, it shouldn't matter who is taking the lead, as
long as we assist our client.”
Before she could muster up a response, Timothy came up behind us and stood.
beside me. He shifted his gaze from Linda to me and cracked a smile.
“Evie, you've been such a great help,” Timothy said to me, gratitude in his eyes.
“And you too, Ms. Turner. I'm glad Evie has someone to take the load off, as
much as she works.”
“I'm sure she needs it,” said Linda, and she turned on her heel and walked away.
“I will be contacting you later, Ms. Sinclair, so stay alert.”
“Of course,” I said tiredly, and I turned to Timothy, who offered me a grin.
“I can tell you two are close,” he said jokingly, and I rolled my eyes.
“This arrangement was unexpected for both of us,” I explained, mustering a
smile. Two lawyers on one case are bound to clash, but on the plus side, she’s
giving : plenty of experience as a paralegal.”
Timothy frowned at that/ “Like an assistant?”
I almost couldn't stomach the word myself, especially since that was what I'd
been
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52%
Chapter 21
reduced to. After the first meeting, Linda had tasked me to analyze and research
several legal documents. It had pointed me in a clearer direction than before, but
the workload was taxing.
“Only for now since I'm a lawyer in training,” I told him, hoping it would reassure
him. “But I'm your lawyer no matter what.”
“Good,” he stated. “And don't stress yourself out with it. As someone who's
strained himself trying to do it all, please use Linda's assistance.”
I smiled at him, noting the concern in his expression. I must've looked as
exhausted as I was starting to feel, or he was genuinely invested in my well—
being. “I'll keep that in mind, thank you.”
Once we parted ways, I decided that I couldn't let Linda's behavior go
unchecked. any longer. I needed to assert myself, claim my rightful place. I
headed straight for Mr. Erickson’s office.
I knocked on the door and entered, steeling myself for the confrontation. Mr.
Erickson was seated behind his desk, engrossed in paperwork, but he looked up
as I cleared my throat.
“Mr. Erickson, I wanted to speak with you about Ms. Turner, I began.
He raised an eyebrow, his eyes betraying a trace of annoyance. “What's the
matter, Evie? I trust that Linda is doing an excellent job handling the case.”
I took a deep breath, trying to keep my composure. “But it's my case, Mr.
Erickson. I've been working on it for months, and Linda is undermining my
contributions and taking credit for my hard work.”
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He waved me off with a dismissive
ap,
gesture. “Evie, you need to
understand your role here. Jipathy is
an Joly doi have to
Win this case. Linda has the
experience and the connections
necessary to ensure that happens.
You, my dear, are just a traveling
: . »
companion of the client.” The content
is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Visit Novelxo.org to read full content.
“ . i
My anger flared. “Mr. Erickson, with
all due respect, I have a scholarship
: : i)
anda it GRA vadworkett hard to
h ,
get to thi Soint, and I've earned my
> : ) :
place in this firm. I'm more than just
. : : wn
a “traveling companion.” The content
is on Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
Mr. Erickson’s expression hardened, and he leaned forward, his tone stern.
“Evie, you may have a scholarship and good grades, but you lack the experience
and the
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Chapter 24
reputation that Linda brings to the table. You're on thin ice here. I suggest you
tread carefully.”
1 couldn't believe what I was hearing. My boss was not only dismissing my
contributions but also threatening my position in the firm. My dreams,
aspirations, and years of hard work were seemingly reduced to nothing more
than a fleeting image. It was a bitter pill to swallow.
With that, I turned and walked out of his office, refusing to hear anymore.
When I arrived at our apartment, Aria was already there preparing dinner. When
she spotted me in the doorway, she gave me a quick smile.
“Hey, how was work?” she asked, and her smile fell when she took in my
expression. “What's wrong?”
“What's wrong...” I repeated absently, my voice shaking, “Is that I'm being
pushed out of my own job.
“What?” Aria abandoned the spoon she'd been stirring with and rushed by my
side. “Hey, take it easy. Just tell me what's wrong.”
As I recounted the events of the day and my conflict with Linda, Aria held me
close. “Evie, don't let her get to you. You're strong, intelligent, and incredibly
talented. You've earned your place in that firm.”
“I don't know if that will matter soon,” I told her, pulling away. “I have the
qualifications, but if 'm not favored by the boss, it means nothing.”
“It shouldn't,” Aria said, scrunching up her nose. “You know what? Only Timothy's
opinion of you matters, so if he likes you, Mr. Erickson’s opinions hardly matter.”
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Her words brought me back to when
Timothy had asserted himself
against Jasper, and 8) the Boss on
our hiking Ry ie like eg enough to
keep ime on his case. even then, so
perhaps he was willing to keep me on
now. If I stayed in his favor, neither
Linda or Mr. Erickson could tear me
away from this case. The content is
on Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
“You're right,” I told Aria, and I found myself able to smile. “You're absolutely
right.”