Chapter 212: The Mate Bond Verdict
Chapter 212: The Mate Bond Verdict
(Olivia’s POV)
Ethan’s face darkened as he said, “Olivia, you know the person I love is you.”
Haughed bitterly, the sound echoing in the cramped apartment. “Weren’t you very happy to betray me with Cassandra behind my back?”
My voice grew sharper with each word. “Didn’t your mother like Cassandra as her future daughter–in–law? How come you don’t want her now that she’s pregnant with your pup?”
Ethan staggered backward, a flash of nervousness crossing his eyes. “Olivia, don’t be angry, listen to my explanation. I was drunk that night, I mistook her for you, so I…”
“Shut up!” I was filled with disgust, my wolf recoiling at his pathetic excuses.
“Ethan Grey, you misunderstood. I brought this up purely to gloat and kick you when you’re down.”
I stepped closer, my voice dripping with satisfaction. “You and your pack bullied me so much back then, now the tables have turned, and you’ve all gotten what you deserve. I’m thrilled.”
Harrison cleared his throat loudly, breaking the tension. “Ethan, you need to leave. I have pack business to discuss with Attorney Winters.”
“Father, please-” Ethan began desperately.
“Out!” Harrison’s Alpha authority flared, even in his diminished state. “I won’t ask again.”
Ethan’s shoulders sagged in defeat. He cast one last pleading look at me before reluctantly heading toward the door.
The sound of his footsteps faded down the hallway. Harrison and I spent the next hour reviewing his case strategy and discussing werewolf mating law precedents.
When I finally emerged from the building, I was surprised to find Ethan still waiting outside. He approached me earnestly, his eyes desperate.
“Olivia, please. Can we talk?”
I walked past him without slowing down. “We have nothing to say to each other.”
“But I need you to understand-” he started.
“Leave me alone, Ethan.” My voice was ice–cold.
I signaled to Emma Thompson, who immediately stepped between us. She forcefully pushed Ethan away, nearly causing him to fall.
Ethan stopped in his tracks when he saw Emma’s protective stance and murderous gaze. The beta’s combat
training was evident in every line of her body.
I got into my car without another glance. “Boss, where to next?” Emma asked.
“Back to Moonstone Legal Partners.”
“Right away.”
The day of Harrison’s mate bond severance trial arrived faster than expected. The Harbor City Family Court was packed with werewolves from both sides.
I stood before the judge, my arguments prepared and my confidence unwavering. Margaret’s lawyer looked nervous as I began my opening statement.
“Your Honor, werewolf mating bonds are sacred connections that cannot be severed lightly,” I argued eloquently. “The plaintiff has failed to provide sufficient grounds under our ancient laws.”
I cited precedent after precedent, my voice carrying across the courtroom. Margaret’s lawyer fumbled through his rebuttals, clearly outmatched.
The judge listened intently as I dismantled every argument for bond severance. My knowledge of werewolf law was comprehensive and devastating.
“The court finds insufficient grounds for mate bond severance,” the judge declared finally. “The bond must remain intact.”
Margaret’s face went white with shock. Harrison’s relief was palpable as he gripped the defendant’s table.
Outside the courthouse, Harrison approached me with deep gratitude. “Attorney Winters, I cannot thank you enough.”
“Don’t attempt reconciliation with Margaret for a full year,” I advised him. “This prevents her from filing again and potentially winning.”
Harrison nodded seriously. “I understand. I’ll consider moving back to the pack house after some time has passed.”
“Olivia Winters, you b***h!” Margaret’s voice cut through the air like a blade.
She stalked over furiously, her face distorted with rage. “Stop right there! I’m not done with you today!”
I frowned as Margaret’s wolf aura flared with uncontrolled anger. She charged forward, raising her hand to
strike.
I blocked Margaret’s hand with my left and delivered a sharp slap across her face with my right. The sound was crisp and loud, instantly reddening the former Luna’s cheek.
“You dare hit me!” Margaret roared.
Another slap landed, this time with my left hand on the other side of her face. Before Margaret could utter another word, she received two more stinging slaps.
I struck Margaret’s face repeatedly, leaving the once–proud Luna stunned and unable to retaliate. Her wolf whimpered in submission.
“Mrs. Grey, I advise you not to overestimate yourself,” I said coldly.
I turned to leave, while Margaret,/enraged, tried to follow and continue the fight. Harrison stepped between us, stopping her advance.
“Enough, stop it! This is the courthouse entrance!” he shouted.
Margaret cried out, “Harrison, you heartless bastard! Your mate is being beaten and you just stand by and watch? Get away from me! Don’t touch me!”
Harrison said impatiently, “Alright, alright, stop making a scene. The car I called is here, let’s go back together.”
Ethan emerged from the courthouse restroom, looking puzzled. “Mother, what happened to your face?” “It was that b***h Olivia who hit me!” Margaret shrieked.
Harrison’s expression darkened. “It was your mother who started it, so don’t blame Attorney Winters for defending herself. Just now, your mother rushed over to attack Attorney Winters, but she failed and was beaten instead. Alright, alright, let’s go back quickly.”
“Mother, I know you’re very dissatisfied with the court’s verdict, but you can’t attack people,” Ethan said with reproach in his eyes. “Olivia is Father’s lawyer. She’s just doing her job for payment. You can’t take your anger out on her.”
“Good, good, now you’re siding with that b***h, right?” Margaret’s eyes were red, and her expression was agitated. “I’m your mother! You actually side with that b***h! Do you even acknowledge me as your mother?”
Ethan was furious. “I don’t acknowledge you as my mother? Heh, it’s because I listened to you too much in the past that I got entangled with Cassandra and hurt Olivia.”
“You’re blaming me for this?” Margaret said angrily.
Ethan sneered, “How dare I blame you, haha.”
“Alright, alright, stop arguing. The car I called is here, let’s go back together,” Harrison said, walking towards the roadside.
Back at Moonstone Legal Partners, the front desk clerk greeted me with a smile. “Ms. Winters, you’re back. President Blackwood has been waiting for you in your office.”
I paused. “President Blackwood is here?”
The clerk nodded. “Yes, she’s been here for almost an hour. I told her you were in court, and she said it was fine, she could wait.”
I acknowledged and walked inside. Miranda Blackwood was sitting on the sofa, flipping through a werewolf law journal.
Seeing me return, she put down the magazine and looked up to greet me. “You’re finally back.”
I put down my bag, walked over, and sat down by the sofa. “Miss Blackwood, is there something you need?”
I took out a bag of moonlight herb tea, boiled water, and began to brew it.
Miranda smiled. “I brought you a gift.”
She took out an elegant box from her side. “Miss Winters, to thank you for saving my life last time, I specially commissioned this rare moonstone/necklace to show my gratitude. Because custom pieces require a certain
construction period, it took me many days to receive it. I hope you’ll like it?”
Miranda opened the box, displaying the exquisite moonstone necklace for me to see. I glanced at it casually,
then my eyes stopped.
“Miss Blackwood, this necklace is very expensive. I can’t accept it.”
Miranda pouted. “Olivia, in your heart, is my life not worth a necklace?”
*…” I smiled helplessly. “You know, that’s not what I meant.”
“Then just accept it.”