Chapter 63: Shepherd vs. Anderson
The meeting room was quiet, the tension palpable as Mara and Steve waited for the other party to arrive. Mara sat at the large conference table, her fingers drumming lightly on the surface, her mind racing with the possibilities of what was to come. Steve, seated beside her, glanced at her with concern.
"Stef," he said softly, "you don’t look so good. I thought this case would keep you busy, but instead, it’s stressing you out. You need to think about the baby."
Mara sighed, running a hand through her hair. She appreciated her brother’s concern, but she didn’t have the patience for it right now. "I’m fine, Steve. I’m not stressed just excited. And what is taking them so damn long?" she added, her tone sharp with irritation.
Steve handed her a bottle of water, his expression still worried. "Here, drink this. And try to relax." Mara took the bottle and sipped the water, her eyes fixed on the door. She wasn’t lying when she said she wasn’t stressed. In fact, she was far from it. The night before, she had spent hours poring over the case files, looking for angles Ethan might have missed. And she had found something—something big. Something he wouldn’t have anticipated, much less prepared for.
The thought of it made her pulse quicken. She had always thrived under pressure, and this case was no different. But this time, it wasn’t just about winning. It was about proving something to Ethan, to her family, and to herself.
Finally, the door swung open, "Miss me, baby girl?" a deep, teasing voice echoed through the room as Ethan strode in. His sharp gaze landed on the woman before him, and for the first time in days, his heart settled. There she was, his beautiful wife. Seeing her again felt like a breath of fresh air after drowning for too long.
Mara, however, remained unfazed, choosing to ignore his lack of professionalism. Instead, she arched a brow, arms crossed as she replied with biting sarcasm, "Mr. Anderson, you finally decided to show up." Mara’s breath caught for a moment as their eyes met.
He looked as composed as ever, his sharp suit and confident demeanor a stark contrast to the storm of emotions swirling inside her. But she didn’t let it show. Instead, she straightened her shoulders, her expression calm and unreadable.
Beside her, Steve stood firm, his presence a silent but clear warning. He positioned himself protectively at Mara’s side, ensuring Ethan didn’t dare step any closer.
Ethan, unsurprised, merely smirked as he loosened his tie and sank into the chair opposite them. The game was on.
"Your client is late," Steve remarked, glancing at the clock. "My client is a very busy man, Mr. Shepherd," Ethan replied, maintaining a steady gaze on Mara with a confident smile. Mr. Lackman, the CEO of Lackman Enterprises, walked in, flanked by his assistants.