The Billionaire’s Blackmail Bride

Chapter 2: On His Radar

After the judge left the room, chatter filled the air as people began to group and leave the courtroom. Some Reid Corporation executives quickly stood and departed, while several moved toward Mr. Vane for hushed discussions.

Elara, alone, carefully arranged her files in her bag before rising to leave. As she headed for the door, she was approached by the victims’ families.

"Thank you for today, Miss Monroe. You’re such a darling," said Mrs. Davis, gently grasping Elara’s hand.

A red-eyed woman chimed in, "Thank you so much. We thought you’d back out when you learned you were representing us against Reid Corporation. We didn’t expect you to be in court today. God will bless you." The others nodded in agreement.

Elara offered a warm, though slightly strained, smile. "You don’t have to thank me. I’m doing what I must. I can’t stand injustice or cheating. Don’t worry; I will find justice for you and your families, and I promise to make Reid Corporation cough up every cent in compensation."

They smiled and nodded their heads, thanked her again, and left the courtroom.

As the families departed, Elara lowered her head, smacked her cheek lightly as if chastising herself, and muttered, "Elara, you big mouth, why do you make promises you know are hard to fulfill? Just shut your mouth sometimes..." she whispered under her breath.

Her self-reproach was interrupted by Mr. Vane’s voice. "I know Miss Monroe is self-conscious, and I understand your passion for justice, but this isn’t a law school debate. You’re taking on Reid Corporation. We don’t lose. I’ve buried lawyers with more experience than you. Walk away while you still have a career to save," he taunted, a smug smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

Elara walked closer to him and replied, "Mr. Vane, I know I'm a newbie and an 'unknown lawyer,' and I'm also aware that I'm going against Reid Corporation. But I'm not scared because I have what you don’t have, the truth. You have power, but I have the truth, and that's enough. No matter how big you are, justice will find you. So Mr. Vane, tell your boss to be ready to vomit all the money he owes my clients."

Mr. Vane's eyes darkened. "You’re brave, I’ll give you that," he said, his tone low and cutting. "But bravery without power is just noise. Reid Corporation will crush you, Miss Monroe. And when they do, I hope your truth keeps you warm in the rubble. Enjoy your moment while it lasts."

She tilted her head and retorted, "Thanks for the concern. I’ll be sure to send you a thank-you note after I win." With that, she turned and left the room, leaving Mr. Vane seething.

As soon as Elara walked into the hallway, she rested on the wall and lowered her head, her heart pounding. She hadn’t flinched when Mr. Vane warned her, but beneath her calm face, her back was drenched in sweat.

She knocked her head lightly against the wall. "Elara, why are you so stupid? Must you reply to him? You don’t know how to die with that loose mouth of yours," she sobbed. She suddenly stopped, then added, "But he insulted me first. I couldn’t just let him talk down on me without saying anything, right?"

As she talked to herself, a camera flash hit her face, and reporters quickly surrounded her, firing questions.

"What do you think about today’s court session?" "Do you think you can take down Reid Corporation?" One scoffed, "Is this just your sixty minutes of fame?"

Elara pushed a microphone away from her face and, despite visible strain, a sheen of sweat on her brow, and a hoarse voice, responded confidently, "I’m not here for fame. I’m here for justice. Reid Corporation will compensate my clients for their loss."

After that, she evaded further questions and left the press behind.

Mr. Vane, watching from a distance, smirked. He was also questioned by the reporters but dodged with polished PR talk. He left the reporters and entered his car. He had bigger issues to settle.

As Elara made her way to the bus stop, she accidentally lost a heel. Grabbing a nearby pole, she wobbled, removed the shoe, knocked it against the pavement, slipped it back on, and hurried to the bus stop.

A bus soon arrived. With no free seat, she clutched a pole and rode it to the law firm where she worked.

Immediately after alighting from the bus, her phone buzzed in her bag. She retrieved it, only to hear an angry voice before she could even say hello.

"Elara, you promised to pay your house rent yesterday but you didn’t! Do you think I’m running a charity center? I called your roommate and she also refused to answer my calls. If you don’t pay by the weekend, you’ll find your bags by the roadside!"

The caretaker ended the call abruptly. Elara’s heart sank, a stark reminder of the life she fought so hard to change. She breathed a deep breath and entered the law firm.

---

Meanwhile, at Reid Corporation’s headquarters…

Xavier Reid sat motionless in his office, the silence around him electric with suppressed fury. The courtroom footage had long stopped playing, but Elara Monroe’s voice still echoed in his mind, clear and confident.

He leaned back in his chair, eyes narrowed, fingers steepled beneath his chin. She’d dissected Gregory's argument like a scalpel through silk.

Without wasting time, he reached for his phone.

"Get me Vane," he said coldly to his assistant.

Seconds later, the line clicked.

"Gregory Vane!"

"Sir."

"Explain to me," Xavier’s voice cold, "how an inexperienced lawyer just made a fool of you in an open court!"

A trembling Mr. Vane replied, "I—I underestimated her, sir. I thought she was just another rookie trying to make a name for herself. But she was composed and sharp, even the judge was impressed. She knew exactly where to hit and when."

Xavier’s eyes narrowed. "You let your ego blind you?"

"She caught us off guard," Vane continued quickly. "Her argument was unconventional, less legalese, more human. It resonated with the judge and the people. It won’t happen again."

Xavier’s voice dropped to a chilling calm. "It better not. That mistake already cost me a deal and shaved points off our stock. If she shakes us again, you’ll wish you were dead.

"I promise, sir, we’ll win," Vane replied weakly.

Xavier ended the call, turned on his laptop to work, but couldn't concentrate on the file he was working on.

He reached for the sleek black office phone on his desk, pressed a single button, and spoke with his usual ice-cold tone.

"I need you in my office. Now!"

Then, without waiting for a response, he dropped the phone.

A few seconds later, his assistant walked in.

"Sir, you called."

"I want a full background report of that lawyer on my desk within 30 minutes."

Ian managed a shaky voice, "Yes, sir," before hurrying out.

Twenty-five minutes later, Ian knocked lightly before stepping in, a small folder in hand and a nervous look on his face.

"Sir, here is the background report on Miss Monroe."

"Leave it on the desk," he said without looking up.

"You can go."

His assistant nodded his head and left his office.

Immediately after Xavier heard the door close, he quickly took the file from his desk and opened it.

After going through the file for ten minutes, he rested his back on his chair for some time, picked up the office phone, and called his assistant.

After his assistant picked up his call, Xavier didn’t talk for a few seconds. Ian looked at the phone to see if the call was still connected. After some time, Xavier spoke,

"Set up a meeting with Elara Monroe. Tell her I want to see her," he said in a crisp voice.

Ian's eyes widened. He blurted, "Sir, you want to meet Elara Monroe?"

"You heard me, and I want to meet her tonight," he declared.

Ian quickly replied, "I'm sorry, sir, I will arrange the meeting…," before he could finish his words, Xavier Reid had ended the call.

Ian wiped the sweat on his forehead. He quickly searched for Elara’s phone number and sent the message to Elara Monroe.

—

Elara was seated in the small shared office she used at the firm, flipping through a file. Her phone buzzed beside her. She picked up her phone, her eyebrow raised as she read the message.

"Good evening, Miss Monroe,

On behalf of Mr. Xavier Reid, you’re invited to a private meeting tonight at Reid Corporation regarding the ongoing matter. Kindly confirm your availability.

Ian, Executive Assistant to Mr. Reid."

Elara chuckled dryly. "Really? Who does he think he is?"

She didn’t waste time thinking. Her fingers moved quickly.

"I appreciate the invitation, but I’ll pass. I don’t do private meetings with people I’m suing."

She hit send, dropped the phone back on the desk, and went back to her notes as if nothing had happened. But inside, she knew this wasn’t the last time she’d hear from Xavier Reid.

Xavier Reid read the message sent by Elara Monroe the fifth time. His assistant stood before him. He smirked, and he mumbled to himself,

"She's interesting. Not bad."

"When is the next court hearing?" he asked.

"The next hearing will be held in one week," Ian replied.

"Okay, you can go." Ian bowed a little and left the office.

Xavier looked at Elara’s file again, he whispered to himself. "Decline my invitation all you want, Elara Monroe. But I always get what I want. Always." He smirked.