Chapter 3

River's POV

I freaking lost the case. I don't even know how I really feel, I feel utterly heartbroken. This was supposed to be the life-changing opportunity of my lifetime.

Currently, I was sitting on the steps of the courthouse feeling utterly devastated. After the break, I was so disoriented that the defendant's lawyer completely ate me up, and I lost the case.

The last time I felt this way was when Jake left me when I was seventeen back in Texas. I took a deep breath trying to hold back my tears, I can't let this break me. I'm freaking River Harper and who the hell cares if I soiled my perfect record and lost one case.

Even if it was the biggest case of my life, I felt my chest heaving with a sob, tears blinding my vision. Damn that stupid Dante.

Someone thrusted a crisp white handkerchief in blurry my vision and I took it without a thought. “I hate seeing pretty girls cry.” I heard that voice again, whose owner was the source of my problem.

“Give it a rest, Dante.” Now I was mad, did he plan this out or something? I can't believe I let this stupid, hot jerk of a man touch me. I hated men like this who trampled all over women just because they were hot and rich.

Damn, as I was played by this man, it can't be freaking possible.

He arched a thick brow at me in amusement, “I’m sorry, Princess, that you lost the case.” He said the princess with such a biting edge as though he was mocking me.

Okay, he may be a pretty boy but I was well done at this moment. “Don't call me a princess, I'm not some spoiled brat.”

“You're sure acting like one Angel.” I stood up from where I was sitting and faced him squarely. Although I stood a step higher on the stairs I still was no way near his height with my 5ft5 self.

“Unlike you, Mr. Billionaire, I didn't have my Daddy's company to inherit; everything I am today,, I've worked my ass off to get to where I am.”

I saw a muscle jerk in his face, but he quickly covered it up with a dark smirk. “Well, kitty has claws, I won't apologize for my lot in life, and I've worked harder than you can imagine. I'll leave your salty ass to yourself; amazing time last night, by the way.”

His words infuriated me even further, “piss off Mr Dante, you've done enough. You have no idea what I just lost in there.” I hated how my voice broke and, for a split second, saw compassion flash through his eyes.

“You're a good lawyer River, but the case was bound to flop. It had nothing to do with your legal practitioner capacity.”

“Save your motivational speech, I don't want to hear it. I'd like to be left alone, please.”

I rolled my eyes and sat down with a huff. I bent my head down, leaning on my knees, and by the time I raised my head he was gone.

Did he also double as a part-time ninja or something. After a few minutes of sitting in solitude, I managed to stand up and hail a taxi back to the hotel I was staying at.

I guess I should return back to Chicago and restrategize, I need to put this whole incident behind me. I wasn't in the mood to engage Samantha or have her point out the obvious.

Which is if I kept my legs closed I probably won't be in this situation. I plopped down on the bed, fully dressed, and closed my eyes. I still had a headache from all the drinking from last night, I felt exhaustion taking over me. I closed my eyes allowing myself to drift into dreamless slumber.

I woke up to the delicious scent of food and I sat up abruptly. Samantha sat beside me, “It's okay, babes, I know you had a rough day.” She engulfed me in a tight bear hug.

I hugged back, at least she wasn't judging me. When we pulled away, I took a huge whiff of the amazing smell of food. Samantha laughed and grabbed the food bag, jiggling in the air.

“I know Chinese food always cheers you up, and yes before you ask I got 'sake’”

I cheered and jumped out, giving air punches, “You're the best, Samantha!” I immediately grabbed the food from her and opened the 'sake.’ Honestly, the Asians have the best blend of drinks.

I was halfway stuffing my mouth with noodles when I saw Samantha's face drop as though all the blood had drained from her face.

“What's going on babes,” I said, swallowing my mouthful quickly. “Not…nothing..” she stuttered. I quickly grabbed her phone from her hand to take a look at what she saw and my mouth fell open too.

It was a video of me collecting back my panties from Dante and also an edit of me ogling him and fumbling my case. My hands were shaking badly, the comments under the video were so cruel.

The caption was, “Thirsty woman loses her cool to Billionaire Dante in the courtroom.”

“River, I think you should put down the phone. A lot of people on social media are really jobless. You shouldn't let it ruin your night.”

I was hearing her, but I couldn't stop scrolling; I only stopped when I came across a video of Dante living it up in a club and some overly made-up Bbl model grinding against him while he had his eyes closed in ecstasy.

The realization hit me like cool water on a sunny day. “That bastard used me!”

Samantha held my hand and squeezed it. “But River, you kind of used him too, you know.” I gave her an angry glare that shut her up and she raised her hands.

“I can't believe…..and now I'm the flag bearer of thirsty women. What would happen to my reputation?”

I felt the sting of angry tears but no way in he** was I going to give into that right now.

I dumped the noodles and took a huge swing of my 'sake’ drink. “Well I'm not going to be the only one with a ruined night, he has no idea what's about to hit him.”

I stood up and Sammantha too. “Wait but River didn't tell me, you want to go to the club and confront him about this.”

I cast her a sharp look, “The heck I am gonna do just that, he did this out of spite because I called him a trust fund kid earlier.”

Sammantha gasped, “why the he** would you do that, do you know he can ruin your life!?

“I'll ruin his first, I'll bring him down all the way to hell” with me.”

Adjusting my rumpled pencil skirt and white shirt. I walked out of the room leaving Sammantha. Now outside, I hailed down a taxi, luckily I recognized the interior of the video I had seen of the club “Take me to club Blue.” still having no idea what I'm going to do when I set my eyes on that arrogant bastard.