The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 204

Chapter 204 When | finally got back home, after what felt like a never-ending day, | was more than ready to kick off my heels and relax.

But as soon as | walked through the front door, | was met with an unexpected sight. Aria and Lucas were sprawled out on the couch, engrossed in scheesy romon the television. Their laughter filled the room, and the warm scent of freshly popped popcorn wafted in the air.

Lucas looked up from the screen, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “Hey, Eviel You’re just in time. We're about to start a movie. Want to join us?”

| hesitated for a moment, torn between the longing for a peaceful evening and the relentless business that seemed to follow me like a shadow. “I appreciate the offer, Lucas, but | have a ton of work to catch up

on.

Aria chimed in, her voice sweet and inviting. “Con, Evie. You’ve been working yourself into the ground lately. Just one movie won’t hurt, and then you can get back to your stuff.”

The tempting idea of just sinking into the couch and losing myself in a movie for a few hours was almost irresistible, but the voice of responsibility was louder. “I wish | could, but I’ve got deadlines to meet, and | can’t afford any delays.”

Lucas sighed, and | could see a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “Alright, but you know where to find us if you change your mind.”

| gave them both a small smile and headed toward my hoffice, leaving them to their entertainment. As | walked into the dimly lit room, | couldn’t help but feel a sense of isolation that had becall too familiar lately.

Sitting down at my desk, | powered up my computer, silently praying that Bruce hadn’t compromised it any further. | had locked down my digital security as much as possible, but with him being one step ahead ofall the time, | couldn’t be too careful.

The desktop loaded, and | nervously clicked through my files, hoping to find no traces of unauthorized access. To my relief, everything seemed intact. Perhaps Bruce had grown bored for the tbeing, or maybe he was just watching from the shadows, biding his time.

My fingers danced over the keyboard, and | opened my email client, curious about any messages that had cin while | was away. What | found leftstunned.

4/4 LAST CALL

SEMANA

TUE SEU DURO USAED FOR MOVES 15 — 31/03/2014

VIVARA

Emergency calls only

Chapter 204

#076%

My inbox was flooded with emails from anonymous senders. The subjects varied from expressions of congratulations to sneering remarks about my competence and reputation. Stella’s case had certainly made headlines, but the reactions ranged from supportive to judgmental. | couldn’t help but be drawn to the most contentious messages.

One email caught my attention, and | opened it with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. The words that met my eyes were venomous, and the anonymous sender clearly had an axe to grind.

11:13

“Evie, you may have won that battle against Stella, but don’t think for a second that anyone respects you in this town. You're just as corrupt as the rest of them.Erickson will eat you alive, and we'll be here to watch.”

The message sent a shiver down my spine, but it was also oddly invigorating. These faceless detractors fueled at fire within me, a stubborn determination to prove them wrong. | couldn’t let their disdain or threats deterfrom the path I’d chosen.

Another email contained a more encouraging tone, albeit from a sender who didn’t want to be identified either.

“Evie, we've been following your journey, and we're thrilled to see someone challenging the corrupt system. Stay strong, and keep fighting for justice. The world needs more people like you.”

| couldn't help but smile, feeling a swell of gratitude for the silent supporters who had my back. It was a reminder that not everyone was against me, even if they couldn’t express it publicly.

As | read through more emails, the pattern becevident. My case against Erickson had already leaked, and the anticipation was growing. It seemed that the battle lines were being drawn, with supporters and opponents aligning behind their chosen champions.

| couldn't deny that the pressure was mounting, but at the stime, it was exhilarating to know that so many people believed in me, even if they couldn’t say it in public. It was the kind of encouragement that fueled my determination and steeled my resolve.

While | had initially thought | would face this battle alone, | now understood that | had a silent. army of supporters who believed in the fight for justice.

| couldn't let them down.

The clock on my computer screen ticked away, and the outside world had long since plunged into darkness. The office lights cast eerie shadows on the walls as | continued to sift through emails. Tseemed to blur as | got lost in the tumult of emotions swirling within me.

2/4

SEMANA

VIVARA

X076% 11:13

[e)

+5

Chapter 204

When | finally got back home, after what felt like a never-ending day, | was more than ready to kick off my heels and relax.

But as soon as | walked through the front door, | was met with an unexpected sight. Aria and Lucas were sprawled out on the couch, engrossed in scheesy romon the television. Their laughter filled the room, and the warm scent of freshly popped popcorn wafted in the air.

Lucas looked up from the screen, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. “Hey, Evie! You're just in time. We're about to start a movie. Want to join us?”

| hesitated for a moment, torn between the longing for a peaceful evening and the relentless business that seemed to follow me like a shadow. “I appreciate the offer, Lucas, but | have a ton of work to catch up on.”

Aria chimed in, her voice sweet and inviting. “Con, Evie. You’ve been working yourself into the ground lately. Just one movie won’t hurt, and then you can get back to your stuff.”

The tempting idea of just sinking into the couch and losing myself in a movie for a few hours was almost irresistible, but the voice of responsibility was louder. “I wish | could, but I’ve got deadlines to meet, and | can’t afford any delays.

Lucas sighed, and | could see a flicker of disappointment in his eyes. “Alright, but you know where to find us if you change your mind.”

| gave them both a small smile and headed toward my hoffice, leaving them to their entertainment. As | walked into the dimly lit room, | couldn’t help but feel a sense of isolation that had becall too familiar lately.

Sitting down at my desk, | powered up my computer, silently praying that Bruce hadn’t compromised it any further. | had locked down my digital security as much as possible, but with him being one step ahead ofall the time, | couldn’t be too careful.

The desktop loaded, and | nervously clicked through my files, hoping to find no traces of unauthorized access. To my relief, everything seemed intact. Perhaps Bruce had grown bored for the tbeing, or maybe he was just watching from the shadows, biding his time.

My fingers danced over the keyboard, and | opened my email client, curious about any messages that had cin while | was away. What | found leftstunned.

1/4

LAST CALL SEMANA

Ox

VIVARA $2076% 11:13 Chapter 204

My inbox was flooded with emails from anonymous senders. The subjects varied from expressions of congratulations to sneering remarks about my competence and reputation. Stella’s case had certainly made headlines, but the reactions ranged from supportive to judgmental. | couldn’t help but be drawn to the most contentious messages.

One email caught my attention, and | opened it with a mix of trepidation and curiosity. The words that met my eyes were venomous, and the anonymous sender clearly had an axe to grind.

“Evie, you may have won that battle against Stella, but don’t think for a second that anyone respects you in this town. You're just as corrupt as the rest of them.Erickson will eat you alive, and we'll be here to watch.”

The message sent a shiver down my spine, but it was also oddly invigorating. These faceless detractors fueled a fire within me, a stubborn determination to prove them wrong. | couldn’t let their disdain or threats deterfrom the path I’d chosen.

Another email contained a more encouraging tone, albeit from a sender who didn’t want to be identified either.

“Evie, we've been following your journey, and we're thrilled to see someone challenging the corrupt system. Stay strong, and keep fighting for justice. The world needs more people like you.”

| couldn't help but smile, feeling a swell of gratitude for the silent supporters who had my back. It was a reminder that not everyone was against me, even if they couldn’t express it publicly.

As | read through more emails, the pattern becevident. My case against Erickson had already leaked, and the anticipation was growing. It seemed that the battle lines were being drawn, with supporters and opponents aligning behind their chosen champions.

| couldn't deny that the pressure was mounting, but at the stime, it was exhilarating to know that so many people believed in me, even if they couldn’t say it in public. It was the kind of encouragement that fueled my determination and steeled my resolve.

While | had initially thought | would face this battle alone, | now understood that | had a silent army of supporters who believed in the fight for justice.

| couldn't let them down.

The clock on my computer screen ticked away, and the outside world had long since plunged into darkness. The office lights cast eerie shadows on the walls as | continued to sift through emails. Tseemed to blur as | got lost in the tumult of emotions swirling within me.

2/4

LAST CALL SEMANA

VIVARA

Emergency calls only Chapter 204 SA76% 11.13

As my inbox finally started to dwindle, | closed my laptop screen and leaned back in my chair. The darkness outside had deepened, and the silence of the room was almost oppressive. The faint hum of the computer was the only company | had.

The next few hours were a blur of research, legal documents, and more emails. The summary judgment in the case against Erickson was just around the corner, and | needed to be prepared. The courtroom battle loomed large, with the hopes and expectations of so many riding on the outcome.

Hours ticked by as | poured over every detail of the case, my focus narrowing until the outside world ceased to exist. The silence in the house was almost deafening, and the isolation that cwith my obsession for justice weighed onlike a heavy shroud.

My eyes ached from staring at the screen, and my mind felt like it was slowly chugging to a halt. As | began to weed out the less strenuous work, my mind began to wonder, | knew a lot of these people had grown fond ofthrough Timothy’s case, and that kind of connection would never escape me.

| couldn't get his thoughtful eyes out of my mind, a striking but warm hazelnut that seemed to regardwith an unrestrained fondness. He was reelingin at this point, ready to make the catch, and | found myself struggling less and less. | was starting to imagine more of his kisses as he placed them on every inch of my body, claiming every bit of skin as his own.

When that all-too-familiar feeling of thrill began to creep its way in and have my body breaking into a light sweat, | knew it was tto call it a night.

Closing my laptop, | stood up and stretched, feeling the knots in my shoulders and back slowly release. | made my way back to the living room, where the warm, cozy glow of the lamps greeted me. Aria and Lucas were still on the couch, engrossed in a conversation, their voices carrying laughter and light-heartedness.

Lucas looked up and smiled when he saw me. “Hey, Evie! How's the battle against the legal world going?”

| couldn't help but grin at his attempt to lighten the mood. “It’s going, Lucas. I’m as ready as | can be for the summary judgment, | think.”

Aria patted the empty space on the couch next to her, invitingto join them. “Crelax for a bit, Evie. Pretty please?”

| hesitated, but their genuine concern wonover. With a grateful nod, | sank into the plush cushions, letting the exhaustion of the day melt away. The TV was still on from their earlier movie, and Aria grabbed the remote to find something we could all enjoy together.

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