Once all preparations were completed, Talia’s Apex Law Firm officially began operations.
On this day, Talia received a long-awaited phone call.
"Talia, do you still remember me? It’s Michelle Scott."
Talia was somewhat surprised, she hadn’t been in touch with Michelle Scott for quite some time.
"Of course I remember you, I have your number saved in my phone."
Michelle Scott was an intern lawyer at the law firm when Talia worked in Mirehaven, and she was also her little assistant. When Talia left, she told Michelle Scott that if she ever needed anything, she could come to her.
Michelle Scott said, "Talia, my internship period has ended successfully, and I passed the interview at the bar association smoothly. I wanted to ask if what you said about coming to you still stands?"
"Congratulations!" Talia laughed heartily and sincerely said, "Of course you can come over, my law firm has just opened, you can come anytime."
"Really?" Michelle Scott said delightedly, "Then I’ll really come, as long as you don’t mind me!"
Talia chuckled, "How could I mind? You can count as someone I brought up myself. I’m in Oakhaven now, I’ll send you the address shortly."
Michelle Scott was very excited, "Alright! I’ll buy a ticket right away!"
After Talia’s cousin Oscar Sterling found out she started a law firm, he immediately helped her recruit two very outstanding and prestigious lawyers.
In the private room of the restaurant, Oscar Sterling introduced two lawyers to Talia.
"This is Lawyer Renee Coleman, my high school classmate," Oscar Sterling introduced.
Renee Coleman was dressed like a professional elite female lawyer, with neat short hair and a light coffee-colored professional suit, looking very competent.
Talia’s gaze fell on Renee Coleman’s face, and paused slightly, "Hello, Lawyer Coleman."
Renee Coleman smiled back, "Hello, Lawyer Rhodes, we’ll be colleagues in the future."
"This is Lawyer Thomas Warren, whom I specially recruited from another law firm for you. He’s an expert in commercial law."
Thomas Warren seemed to be in his forties, wearing a suit and glasses, with a slim figure, giving off a calm and reserved vibe.
"Hello, Lawyer Warren, I’ve heard about you. I’ll need your guidance in the future."
"Hello, Lawyer Rhodes, let’s progress together."
Apart from Oscar Sterling, everyone at the table was in the same profession, making it easy to chat and creating a lively atmosphere.
After the meal, Talia bid farewell to Oscar Sterling and her two new colleagues, then got into her Rolls-Royce.
With a push on the accelerator, the white Rolls-Royce slowly left the parking lot and entered the wide main road.
Looking at the time, the flight Michelle Scott was on was about to land in Oakhaven, and Talia was now driving to pick her up.
This afternoon, Michelle Scott sent her flight information to Talia, and Talia said she would go to the airport to pick her up.
Michelle Scott said there was no need to bother, she could just take a cab to the hotel herself.
However, Talia thought the young girl was unfamiliar with the area, having no relatives or friends there and only knowing her, so she insisted on picking her up to help her settle down.
The airport was in a remote suburban area, forty minutes’ drive from the center of Oakhaven.
Talia felt the car was a bit stuffy, so she half-lowered the window, letting the outside air in to circulate.
Toward the end of March, the temperature in Oakhaven began to warm up.
The wind had shed its biting chill, leaving a fresh, cool sensation.
The gusty breeze dispelled the stuffiness in the car, and Talia thought about the recent events, feeling delighted.
The law firm had opened successfully, and the partners and new colleagues seemed easy to get along with. Just after opening, several notable and capable lawyers had joined, and her former assistant Michelle Scott had come over too.
Everything was developing in a positive direction.
Her career was like a rising sun, full of vigor.
She was one step closer to her ideals.
The white Rolls-Royce darted through the traffic, leaving the bustling city district behind, entering the suburban road section.
A little past ten at night, this remote suburban road section had few people around.
After driving for over ten minutes, Talia suddenly noticed what seemed to be a black car trailing her.
This road did not lead only to the airport; there were forks ahead leading to other places. Even if it only led to the airport, having other cars following was quite normal; perhaps others were going to the airport too.
The problem was when Talia spotted the black car through the rearview mirror, something flashed quickly in her mind.
This car seemed familiar, as if she had seen it at the city center when stopping at a red light.
Back then, the car was parked diagonally behind hers.
This meant that from the city center to the suburbs, this car had been following her all along.
Talia suddenly felt a chill spread over her body, her spine tingling.
Talia noticed that when she slowed down, the other car also reduced speed, showing no intention of overtaking.
When she sped up, the other car sped up too.
This made her more certain of her thoughts.
The car was stalking her.
Talia picked up her phone, preparing to make a call.
The man driving furrowed his brow, and said to the man sitting in the back seat, "Boss, she seems to have noticed us."
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As Talia had just picked up her phone and hadn’t dialed yet.
The black car behind accelerated suddenly and crashed into hers at high speed.
The immense impact made Talia’s car lose control instantly, the white Rolls-Royce smashing into the roadside guardrail, the front of the car seriously dented, and the airbags deployed.
Talia’s phone was jolted out of her hand.
She was dizzy from the crash.
Talia composed herself, struggling to bend down and search for her phone.
She needed to call the police immediately for help.
But as she reached for her phone, someone outside violently shattered the car window.
The person was clearly prepared, bringing a professional window-breaking hammer.
After breaking the window, the person reached in to open the car door, roughly pulling Talia out.
"Who are you?" Talia asked reflexively as she was pulled out of the car, realizing what was happening.
The person didn’t answer and continued trying to drag her to the roadside.
Inside the car, the cramped space made it difficult for Talia to fight back, but as soon as she was outside, she resisted immediately, quickly breaking free from the man’s grasp and landed a few punches.
The man evidently didn’t expect Talia, who appeared to be a fragile woman, to possess such strength. Caught off guard, he cursed a few vulgar words and furiously charged at her to fight.
However, he wasn’t a match for Talia.
Talia struck the man’s nose heavily, causing blood to pour out instantly.
Talia used both hands and feet, swiftly knocking the man to the ground.
This road lacked surveillance and streetlights; only the blinding car lights illuminated the man’s miserable state.
The man lay on the ground in disarray, crimson blood smearing his chin, still mouthing obscene curses.
"How can you not even handle a woman?" Another man emerged from the black car behind, speaking from his elevated stance.
"Boss, this woman has trained," hissed the man on the ground through gritted teeth.
Seizing their conversation as an opportunity, Talia stealthily moved towards her car, intending to retrieve her phone and call.
Just as she picked up her phone, the man behind rushed over and snatched it.
Soon after, the man removed her SIM card, violently hurling the phone to the ground, shattering the screen into pieces. He snapped the SIM card in half and tossed it into the roadside bushes.
"Come with us," the man coldly ordered.