~Author's note: You're diving into the world of a lawyer. This isn't your typical slow burn revenge story. You'll meet a great lawyer who uses his smartness and intelligence to bring down evil~ ♥Chapter 01♥The prison gates opened and Ezekiel Lawson was out. He stepped out into the morning sun. It burned his eyes after five years inside. He blinked and breathed in the air. Free. He was finally free. His name had been cleared. The evidence against him was weak from the start. Someone had made sure he stayed inside. Someone had paid to keep him there. But now he was out. Five years. He walked away from the gates. His feet moved on their own. His mind drifted back. Back to that night. Their wedding anniversary. He and Grace had been happy. Luke, their son was four then. A wild boy with his mother's eyes. They had dropped him at Grace's mother's house just for the night. The evening had been perfect. Dinner at the Italian place Grace loved. The rides at the carnival. She had w

The rain started falling. Slow at first. Then harder. Ezekiel stood at the gate. His clothes soaked through. His body ached from the fall. His heart felt worse. He walked away. He didn't look back. The little money they had given him at release was small. Not enough for a second cab ride. Not enough for anything. He walked. One foot in front of the other. The rain poured down. It mixed with the tears he refused to shed. His parents' house was far. But he walked anyway. He had nowhere else to go. His wife had thrown him out. His son was not his son. His cousin had taken everything. There was nothing left for him. The streets blurred past him. He didn't notice the people. He didn't notice the cars. He only noticed the pain. The betrayal. The lies. Five years. He had given them five years of his life. And this was his reward. His parents. Theodora and William. They had visited him once in prison. Only once. Their faces pale. Their eyes were filled with shame. A son in prison was a s

Bryan handed Ezekiel a new phone. The screen was bright. The device was perfect. Top of the line."We're all set," Bryan said. "The new house is ready. I had everything arranged while you were recovering."Ezekiel looked around. The room was spacious. Modern. Gigantic windows. The view was breathtaking. The city stretched out before him. Skyscrapers. Bridges. Rivers. The sun was setting. Everything looked good.He walked to the window and placed his palm against the glass. The city below hummed with life.It was beautiful.He turned to Bryan. His face was serious."Did you get the number of my friend Leo?"Bryan nodded. He pulled out a notepad. He read the number aloud.Ezekiel dialed. The phone rang. Once. Twice. Three times.Leo picked up. His voice was panicked."Hello? Who is this?""Leo. It's me. Ezekiel."There was silence. Then a scream."Ezekiel? Oh my God! I thought you were dead! I thought the cops took you! I hid when they came. I didn't know what happened. I've been losing

The car glided through the city streets. Ezekiel sat in the back. His eyes were fixed on the passing lights. Leo's words echoed in his mind. "You should go back to law school." If only Leo knew. If only anyone knew. The car pulled up to a building. Tall. Glass. Modern. Ezekiel stepped out. The driver nodded. Ezekiel walked inside. The lobby was marble. Gold accents. A concierge in a tailored suit smiled. "Good evening, Mr. Lawson." Ezekiel nodded. He walked to the elevator. Private. Key card access. He pressed the button for the top floor. The elevator rose. Fast. Smooth. The doors opened onto a penthouse. Spacious. Minimalist. Floor-to-ceiling windows. The city sprawled below like a carpet of lights. Bryan was waiting. He stood by the window. A tablet in his hand. His face was serious. "Welcome home." Ezekiel walked in. He didn't look around. He already knew the place. Bryan had sent him photos. Videos. Everything had been arranged. "Anything new?" Ezekiel asked. Bryan no

The morning sun filtered through the dusty windows of Ezekiel's new office. The room was small. Bare. A desk. A chair. A filing cabinet. But it was his. And it was perfect.He sat at the desk. Documents were spread before him. The Maria Santos case. He had studied it all night. Every complaint. Every violation. Every piece of evidence.The door opened. Bryan walked in. His tablet was in hand."She's here. Maria Santos. Her friend Marcus is with her."Ezekiel nodded. "Send them in."The door opened wider. A man walked in first. Tall. Broad shoulders. Kind eyes. Behind him was a short woman. Round. Warm. Her eyes were red and puffy. She looked exhausted.Marcus stepped forward. He extended his hand."Mr. Lawson? I'm Marcus. I'm a friend of Maria's. I heard you were a good lawyer. I told her she needed to come see you."Ezekiel shook his hand. "Please. Call me Ezekiel."Maria stepped forward. Her voice was shaky."Thank you for agreeing to see us. I didn't know where else to turn."Ezeki