The Hockey Star’s Remorse

Chapter 37
The sun had just begun to seep through the curtains when I felt a sudden jolt that
rattled me from my dreams. Groaning, I rubbed my eyes and sat up in bed. My
head was still foggy with sleep when I heard a voice, frantic and insistent, coming
from the living room.
“Evie! Get up, quick! You won't believe this!” Aria’s voice poured into my room.
My heart raced, my sleep—fogged mind struggling to make sense of her words. I
stumbled out of bed, not even bothering to throw on a robe, and followed the
sound of Aria’s voice down the narrow hallway into the living room.
What I saw on the television screen made me stop dead in my tracks.
The news anchors were talking fervently, their faces plastered with shock and
excitement. I blinked, still not comprehending, until I saw both Timothy and I's
faces flash along the screen.
“Who could have imagined that a nameless newcomer like Evie could beat
Timothy's club owner, Mr. Fitzgerald, the most powerful man in the city?” the
news anchor exclaimed. “It seems this may be the beautiful woman he had been
trying to apologize to.”
I gaped at the screen, trying to process the words. Aria had been right; I couldn't
believe it. There, on national television, was the story of the past few weeks,
presented like some dramatic movie plot. My heart pounded wildly as I watched
the footage of our victory in court.
Aria turned to me, her face flushed with exhilaration. “Evic, can you believe it?
You're famous!”
Famous. It was a word I'd never associated with myself, and it seemed utterly
surreal. I didn't have the chance to say anything in response because my phone
began ringing like a mad alarm. I grabbed it, and it was as though the world had
discovered my number.
The notifications flooded in, with friends and acquaintances alike congratulating
me on my unexpected fame.
“I need to get ready for work, I said absently, rushing out of the room.
11:19 Thu, 21 Mar G GA
Chapter 37
i}
At work, the atmosphere was electric. My coworkers crowded around my desk,
congratulating me, and sharing their admiration for my unexpected victory.
“Evie, you're a sensation!” Trina exclaimed. “We're so proud of you!”
“You go girl! Knew you could do it!” shouted Leila.
Then, Mr. Erickson’s voice boomed over the ruckus of the entire office, drawing
everyone's attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?”
he said.
The office fell silent. “I'm sure you've all heard about the incredible victory of one
of our very own. Evie here has shown remarkable strength, and I've decided to
give her a promotion and a well-deserved raise.”
A burst of applause erupted in the office, and I felt myself blush, my cheeks
aflame with embarrassment. I was grateful for the recognition, but the spotlight
was something I had never sought.
As I reached my desk, my inbox was already inundated with emails and
messages, and my phone seemed to be ringing non-stop. The title of Senior
Associate had brought with it newfound prestige, but it also seemed to demand
more from me than I was prepared for.
irwell-a small
A short break was in order, I decided, and I headed for the refuge for moments of
contemplation. I found a quiet landing a few floors below, where a small window
allowed a gentle breeze to seep in. It was the perfect spot to collect my thoughts.
“Evie,” a voice called, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up to see Linda
descending the stairs. Her face was devoid of its usual pretense, and her eyes
bore a seriousness that was unfamiliar.
1 frowned at her. “Linda?
Linda looked at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Is this
your version of a celebration, or has he gotten to you already?”
I felt a sense of dread creep over me. “What do you mean, Linda?”
Linda's expression darkened. “Once you're in his good graces, there's no
escaping
Chapter 37
55%
At work, the atmosphere was electric. My coworkers crowded around my desk,
congratulating me, and sharing their admiration for my unexpected victory.
“Evie, you're a sensation!” Trina exclaimed. “We're so proud of you!”
“You go girl! Knew you could do it!" shouted Leila.
Then, Mr. Erickson’s voice boomed over the ruckus of the entire office, drawing
everyone's attention. “Ladies and gentlemen, can I have your attention, please?”
he said.
The office fell silent. “I'm sure you've all heard about the incredible victory of one
of our very own. Evie here has shown remarkable strength, and I've decided to
give her a promotion and a well-deserved raise.”
A burst of applause erupted in the office, and I felt myself blush, my cheeks
aflame with embarrassment. I was grateful for the recognition, but the spotlight
was something I had never sought.
As I reached my desk, my inbox was already inundated with emails and
messages, and my phone seemed to be ringing non-stop. The title of Senior
Associate had brought with it newfound prestige, but it also seemed to demand
more from me than I was prepared for.
A short break was in order, I decided, and I headed for the stairwell-a small
refuge for moments of contemplation. I found a quiet landing a few floors below,
where a small window allowed a gentle breeze to seep in. It was the perfect spot
to collect my thoughts.
“Evie,” a voice called, interrupting my thoughts. I looked up to see Linda.
descending the stairs. Her face was devoid of its usual pretense, and her eyes a
seriousness that was unfamiliar.
bore
1 frowned at her. “Linda?
Linda looked at me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine. “Is this
version of a celebration, or has he gotten to you already?”
your
I felt a sense of dread creep over me. “What do you mean, Linda?”
Linda's expression darkened. “Once you're in his good graces, there's no
escaping
11 10 Thu, 21 Mar CCA
Chapter 37
his clutches. He'll pull you in deeper and deeper, until you're trapped.”
I tried to make sense of her words, but they felt like riddles. “Linda, please, you
have to explain. What are you talking about?”
She looked away, her voice low and resigned. “Il was in your place once, full of
ambition, thinking I could conquer the world. I became his favorite, just like you
are now.”
I was desperate for answers, but Linda turned away, her eyes distant. “You'll
have to take my place now, Evie, but be careful what you wish for. Success here
comes at a cost. A cost you may not be willing to pay.”
Linda left, disappearing up the stairwell before I could grasp the full meaning of
her words. I was left bewildered and unnerved, my mind racing with questions
and apprehension. What did she mean by “take my place“? What was the cost
she had alluded to?
As I returned to my desk, I couldn't shake off the shadow of Linda's words. The
excitement over my promotion had turned into a nagging feeling of unease. It
could have been her playing with my mind again, still bitter that she hadn't been
able to snatch the case from me.
Still, the promotion had been sudden, even if it was deserved. Mr. Erickson had
to acknowledge my success either way, so Linda's investment in that might have
been her own paranoia.
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Over the next few days, I tried to
settle into my new role as Senior
Associate. The Weighi(of ircreasel
one
respqndibifity “and the expectations of
my coworkers pressed. down on me,
and I felt as though I was under
constant scrutiny. The content is on
Novelxo.org! Read the latest
chapter there!
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Reporters followed me to and from
work every day, and they had
returned to their camp outside my
doorstep. My na ewes b&ing
Le
whigpefeddom every stranger on the
. 5 a +
street, that was if they didn't directly
ask for a picture with me. Aria had
shown. me all the fan sites popping
3 “ f Ss
up, branding me as a “forgiving
» Thre . ’
woman” for deciding to aid Timothy
after his public apology. The content
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chapter there!
It was in a late-night session at the office, long after everyone else had left, that I
had my first one—on—one meeting with Mr. Erickson since my promotion. He sat
“Evie, I've been impressed with your performance so far,” he began, his voice
behind his grand desk, regarding me with his uncharacteristic jollyne
[e]
Thu, 21 Mar
Chapter 37
measured and controlled. “Your victory against Fitzgerald showcased your
determination and legal acumen.”
“Thank you, Mr. Erickson,” I replied, striving to maintain my composure.
His eyes bore into mine, seemingly assessing my every thought. “I have high
expectations for you, Evie. You've proven yourself to be a valuable asset, but the
journey ahead won't be easy.”
I nodded, acknowledging the gravity of his words. My run-in with Linda flashed in
my mind, though I tried to suppress her speculations. This was my time to shine,
and I wouldn't let her ruin that.
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The day stretched into the evening,
and I returned home, mentally and
physicall exhapsted, (P) Ay Surprise,
the fe had left their camp.
Since their belongings had been left, I
) >
presumed they'd gone out for dinner.
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Or to go bother someone else for the time being.
“I wish they'd get a life,” I grumbled, searching for my keys as I walked up the
steps. and to my door.
Only, as I approached, did I see that the door was slightly ajar. When I walked in
and flipped on the light, I was aghast at the mess that awaited me.
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