"He didn't manipulate me. I made my own choices."
"Did you? Because from where I'm sitting, it looks like Alessandro Vitale identified a vulnerable attorney drowning in debt and systematically compromised him. Paid off his loans. Bought him expensive clothes. Took him to high-society events. Made him feel special and valued until he stopped being able to see clearly."
The words hit harder than they should have because part of me wondered if Richard was right. If everything with Sandro had been calculated manipulation instead of genuine feeling.
But then I remembered the way Sandro looked at me. The way he touched me like I was precious. The way he'd mobilized his entire organization to protect me from threats. That wasn't manipulation. That was something real.
"I see perfectly clearly," I said. "I know what Sandro is. What he's capable of. I'm choosing him anyway."
"Then you're choosing to end your career." Richard leaned forward. "The managing partners met this morning after these photos arrived. They're prepared to withdraw you from the Vitale case and report the relationship to the bar association unless you take action."
"What kind of action?"
"End the personal relationship immediately. Maintain professional distance. Finish the trial as Vitale's attorney but nothing more." He paused. "Or withdraw from the case entirely and cut all ties. Either way, the relationship ends. That's non-negotiable."
I felt something crack in my chest. "You're asking me to choose between my career and Sandro."
"I'm asking you to choose between your law license and a man who's destroying everything you've worked for." Richard's voice softened slightly. "Emilio, I've known you for three years. You're one of the best attorneys I've ever worked with. Brilliant. Ethical. Dedicated. You have a real future in this profession. Don't throw it away for someone who'll discard you the moment you stop being useful."
"Sandro won't discard me."
"You don't know that. You don't know him as well as you think you do." He stood and came around the desk. Sat in the chair beside mine instead of across from me. "I'm not trying to punish you. I'm trying to save your career before it's too late."
"What if I don't want to be saved?"
"Then you're a fool." But his tone wasn't cruel. Just sad. "I'm giving you until end of business tomorrow to decide. End the relationship and stay on the case. Or withdraw from representation and keep seeing him. But you can't have both. The firm won't allow it."
"And if I refuse to choose? If I say I'm staying on the case and continuing the relationship?"
"Then the managing partners will withdraw you from representation and file a complaint with the bar association detailing your ethical violations." He held my gaze. "They have the photos, Emilio. They have documentation of Vitale paying off your debts. They have enough to build a case that you've beencompromised. You'll face disciplinary proceedings. Possibly suspension. Maybe disbarment."
The room felt too small. Too hot. I couldn't breathe properly.
"You have until tomorrow at 5 PM," Richard said quietly. "I'm sorry it's come to this. But make the right choice. Please."
He stood and walked back to his desk. Dismissal implicit in the gesture.
I stood on shaking legs and walked to the door.
"Emilio?" Richard's voice stopped me at the threshold. "For what it's worth, I hope you choose your career. You're too talented to waste on someone like Vitale."
I left without responding. Walked back to my office on autopilot. Closed the door and stood in the middle of the room staring at the case files covering every surface.
Three weeks of preparation. Hundreds of hours of work. A defense strategy so airtight that the prosecution should be terrified. All of it potentially meaningless if I couldn't represent Sandro in court.
My phone buzzed. Text from a friend:Saw the photos. Everyone's talking. Are you okay?
I didn't respond. Couldn't process his concern when I was barely processing my own thoughts.
Another text. This one from Marco:I warned you. Hope it was worth it.
I deleted that one without reading it fully.
A third text. My mother:Sweetheart, I saw some pictures online. Call me when you can.
God. The photos were already circulating. Probably on every legal gossip blog and society page. My relationship with Sandro was now public knowledge. Undeniable. Permanent.
I sat down at my desk and pulled up the Vitale files. Stared at weeks of work. I'd built something brilliant here. A defense thatwould make legal textbooks if we won. A career-defining case that could open doors and establish my reputation.
