Zachary thought about Tessa every day and night after she had left him.

He realized now just how foolish he had been. It was only after she left that he realized she was the one he truly loved.

His heart ached as he reflected on the times he had neglected Tessa for Wendy. He couldn’t forget all the hurtful words he had said to her.

Suddenly, he remembered that Tessa had always dreamed of marrying him.

But he had shattered that dream of hers with his cruel words. He told her he could never marry her.

What if he asked her now? Would she come back to him?

The possibility sparked a glimmer of hope in Zachary’s eyes.

If he made her his wife, surely she would forgive him and return to his side.

…

The next morning, Tessa accompanied her client to the Social Security Administration to perform a

workplace injury assessment. It was nearly noon by the time she finished. She took a cab back to the law firm.

As they approached the street where the firm was located, the cab driver muttered, “What’s going on? Why is it so crowded up there?”

He turned to Tessa and said, “Miss, the road ahead is blocked. Looks like you’ll have to get out here and walk a few steps.”

Curious, Tessa leaned forward to peer through the windshield. Sure enough, a large crowd had gathered just ahead.

It was unusual. This street was typically quiet, so what could have happened?

After paying the fare, Tessa stepped out of the cab. As she started walking, a strange unease settled over her.

The crowd appeared to be centered right outside Shelton Law Firm. A wave of dread washed over her as she quickened her pace.

Suddenly, the crowd erupted in screams. People scattered in all directions, turning the street into a scene of pure chaos.

A panicked young woman ran into Tessa.

“Sorry!” the girl stammered, her face pale with fear. She apologized quickly and tried to run off.

Tessa grabbed her arm and asked, “What’s happening up there?”

“Don’t go over there! Someone’s causing trouble at the law firm. It’s dangerous, so get out of here!” She shook free of Tessa’s grip and fled.

Tessa’s expression hardened. She took a deep breath and strode toward the law firm.

As she neared the entrance, angry shouts and screams grew louder. A mixture of different voices clashed in a chaotic, ear-splitting mess.

Her heart fell to her stomach.

The crowd outside had completely dispersed.

When Tessa reached the entrance, she froze in place. The scene before her was horrifying.

Tom, her officemate, laid in a pool of blood on the ground. Blood seemed to pour from a wound on his waist profusely.

Nearby, there was a man with a face twisted in rage. He swung his knife wildly at anyone who crossed his path.

“Fuck you, lawyers! Every single one of you is out to get me! Come on! I’m not scared of you!” he screamed hysterically.

“If you’re going to back me into a corner, then I’ll take all of you with me! We’re all going down together!” “I’ve got nothing to lose anymore! What’s a few more lives? I’ll kill every one of you today!”

“You fucking lawyers are coming to hell with me,” he bellowed.

The moment he spotted a female lawyer in heels, he lunged at her with the knife.

Yasmin ran for her life. “Help! Please don’t kill me! I’m begging you! I didn’t handle your case. It’s got nothing to do with me! Please don’t kill me!” she screamed.

Her pleas were futile. The man was completely blinded by rage.

Tom was the lawyer in charge of the man’s case. He was already on the ground, gravely injured.

The man had already turned murderous. He was determined to stab anyone he saw. He didn’t care who the person was.

Yasmin screamed as she bolted toward her colleagues, desperate to shift the attacker’s focus.

No one dared to intervene after they witnessed what happened to Tom. They were all paralyzed by fear.

As the man closed in on Yasmin, Tessa clenched her jaw and made a split-second decision.

She kicked off her high heels and shrugged off her blazer.

With a deep breath, she charged toward the attacker. Her movements were swift and resolute.