Advanced chapters at:
patreon.com/Dreamwalker1
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liam's Pov
We got back to the apartment after breakfast, sunlight spilling lazily across the polished wooden floors. As soon as I stepped inside, something immediately caught my eye—hanging from the coat rack was a sleek black garment bag.
I raised an eyebrow. "What's this?"
Emma, who had already kicked off her heels with her usual effortless grace, arched a brow back at me. "Open it."
I unzipped the bag and pulled out a suit—dark grey, tailored sharp, with subtle stitching that spoke of precision. Not the kind you grab off a department store rack. This was custom. My fingers brushed the fabric; it was smooth, expensive, the weight perfect.
I looked over at her. "Emma…"
She leaned against the wall, arms crossed, her lips tugging into the faintest smirk. "It's custom-made with your measurements. I ordered it weeks ago. Figured your first day in the DA's office deserves something more than 'off-the-hanger Liam Harper.'"
[Look at that. A woman who actually invests in you other than your mother] Eve's voice drawled in my head. [Unlike your brothers—Alan couldn't even give you a tie, and Charlie would've just handed you his cologne and told you to wing it]
I shook my head with a faint laugh. "You didn't have to—"
"Yes, I did," Emma cut in smoothly. "You're starting a new chapter. Presentation matters." Her eyes flicked briefly to the suit again, softer this time. "And besides, I wanted you to have it."
For a moment, I didn't know what to say. Instead, I just gave her a quiet nod of thanks.
Taking the suit into the bedroom, I stepped into the shower. The hot water washed away the travel fatigue, sharpening my senses.
By the time I slipped into the new suit, it fit like a second skin. Perfect shoulder lines, crisp lapels, tailored to flatter without looking loud.
I slid the watch onto my wrist—the polished platinum gleaming faintly in the morning light. It wasn't just any watch. Evelyn had gifted it to me before I left L.A.—a Rolex Datejust
Her words echoed in my mind even now: "For once, I'm giving something meaningful. Don't waste it on being late." Typical Evelyn—half affection, half sarcasm. But still, she'd picked something timeless.
The weight of it grounded me. It wasn't just expensive; it was symbolic. A reminder that even in her sharp, biting way, my mother saw me differently than she saw Charlie or Alan.
To her, I wasn't just another Harper screw-up. I was the one who was able to go beyond her expectations for her children.
[You do look rather devastating with that watch] Eve teased, her voice curling in my head. [If the suit screamed authority, the Rolex screams legacy. You're going to walk into that DA's office like you own the place]
I smirked faintly, adjusting the cuff so the steel caught just enough light. It wasn't about owning the place. It was about proving I belonged there. I took my bag and went to the living room.
Emma, sitting casually on the sofa with her legs crossed, froze mid-sip of coffee. Her eyes widened for the briefest second before a slow smile curved her lips.
"Damn…" she breathed, voice low but audible. "If you walk into court looking like that, the jury won't even need to hear arguments. They'll hand you the win just so they could see you smile."
Liam adjusted his cufflinks with practiced ease, meeting her gaze with a shrug.
"It's just a suit, Emma."
[Just a suit, he says] Eve's amused voice echoed in his mind, warm with mischief. [If charm were a weapon, you'd be carrying a nuke right now]
Liam smirked faintly at the invisible remark, shaking his head to himself.
Emma tilted her head, catching the ghost of his smile. "What's funny?"
"Nothing," Liam said smoothly, slipping his bike keys from the counter. "Just… ready to start the day."
Emma leaned back, giving him one last look from head to toe. Her voice softened, losing its playful edge.
"You look like you were born for this. Good luck!"
Liam gave a small nod, pocketed his keys, and made for the door.
The elevator doors slid open with a muted ding, and I stepped into the underground garage. The air smelled faintly like cold concrete.
My bike stood waiting in the corner, sleek and black, as if it belonged in a glossy ad rather than a basement.
Sliding the helmet on, the soft click sealing me in. "Eve," I muttered. "Directions to Manhattan District Attorney's Office."
[Already on it, Liam] her voice answered smoothly in my ear, audible only to me. The HUD flickered alive across the visor, a glowing blue line tracing the fastest route through early-morning New York. ETA: 08:40 AM.
The engine came to life under my hands with a deep growl, vibrating through the garage.
Giving the throttle a twist. "Let's go," I said.
[Try not to be late on your first day] Eve teased.
I smirked beneath the visor. "Not planning to."
The tires gripped, the machine roared, and in seconds, I was gone—cutting through the cool air of the garage and into the waking city above.
The ride through New York was a blur of morning traffic, yellow cabs, and honking horns, but the HUD kept me weaving through the chaos without missing a beat. By the time the clock ticked past 8:46, the glowing line on my HUD ended at a sleek corner building in lower Manhattan.
The District Attorney's Office wasn't flashy like a corporate skyscraper. It was tall, yes, but its architecture had an old-world gravity—limestone façade, stone columns framing the entrance, bronze letters etched across the top: New York County District Attorney's Office. The kind of building that radiated authority. It was both intimidating and dignified, as if silently reminding everyone that justice wasn't supposed to be pretty, only unyielding.
I pulled the bike up to the designated lot across from the building, killed the engine, and swung my leg over. The rumble of the city filled the silence left behind. Straightening my suit jacket, I locked my helmet to the bike and crossed the street toward the entrance.
That's when I spotted her.
She was standing just outside the main doors, scanning the morning crowd like she was waiting for someone. Slim frame, neat navy blazer over a cream blouse, pencil skirt, and low heels that spoke of long office hours. Glasses perched on her nose, dark brown hair tied back in a practical bun. She couldn't have been more than twenty-eight. A professional look—but not flashy, not the kind that drew attention.
At least, not until her gaze fell on me.
She froze. For a split second, her expression faltered—caught between professionalism and surprise.
I could see it: her eyes flickered over my face, the suit, the Rolex at my wrist, the overall cut that didn't quite fit "rookie attorney."
[Careful, Liam] Eve whispered in my ear, amused. [You've already stunned your welcoming committee. Try not to break her heart before your first day]
I smirked slightly, stepping forward and breaking the silence. "You must be Anna. We spoke on the phone."
That seemed to snap her out of it. She blinked, straightened her glasses, and nodded quickly. "Yes—yes, I'm Anna. Anna Patel. Assistant to District Attorney Dennis." Her voice had regained its professional edge, though the faint color in her cheeks betrayed the pause she'd just had.
"I hope I'm not too early," I said.
"No, not at all," she replied with a polite smile. "It's good, actually. Shows commitment."
I just nodded, keeping my expression calm. "Glad to hear it."
We exchanged a few more pleasantries as she gestured toward the entrance. "If you'll follow me inside, we'll go through the security check and then head up to the main offices."
The glass doors opened as we approached, and we stepped into the lobby. The inside of the building was all polished marble floors, high ceilings, and the faint echo of hurried footsteps. Security was set up just past the reception desk—metal detectors, conveyor belts for bags, and two uniformed guards watching with professional detachment.
Anna handed over her badge to one of the guards, then asked me to give any type of identification.
I slipped my wallet out, passed over my license, and moved through the detector after placing my bag, belt and watch in the conveyor belt for the X-ray machine. The guard checked and nodded me through.
"Straightforward," I murmured.
Anna gave a small smile. "You'll get used to it. Part of life here."
Once cleared, we stepped into the heart of the building. The energy inside was palpable—lawyers in suits moving between offices, paralegals clutching stacks of case files, the steady hum of phones ringing in the background.
It felt alive. Busy. Serious.
And as I walked deeper in, following Anna's lead, I couldn't help but feel the weight settle on my shoulders. This was where the fight for justice played out—not in flashy courtrooms alone, but in the endless grind behind these walls.
[Welcome to the stage, Liam] Eve said softly. [Let's see how you perform]
I straightened my tie, exhaling slowly. The real show was about to begin.
-----END-----
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advanced chapters at:
patreon.com/Dreamwalker1