Chapter 3

Noah began to outline the things he needed to learn and understand: Dean’s job responsibilities, the workings of the law firm, the background of his colleagues and superiors. He also jotted down personal matters to address, like managing relationships with family and friends and finding a balance between work and life. 

When he finished, he felt a slight sense of calm. Closing the notebook, he picked up his coffee and savored it slowly. The bittersweet flavor grounded him, a tangible reminder that this was no dream but a new reality he had to face head-on. 

Returning to the apartment, Noah once again examined Dean’s records, repeatedly reviewing his educational background, work experience, and social connections. He discovered that Dean was incredibly disciplined and hardworking, excelling academically throughout his life. In university, Dean had earned multiple scholarships and honors, and his involvement in legal projects had already given him a foothold in the field. Despite his young age, Dean had contributed to significant cases, which explained his early acceptance at the firm. 

Through this, Noah gained a deeper appreciation for Dean’s life. Dean’s achievements weren’t a stroke of luck but the result of years of relentless effort and determination. Noah couldn’t help but feel a sense of admiration for him, along with the weight of the responsibility now on his shoulders. Fitting into such a role would be far from easy. 

However, one mystery still nagged at him: Dean’s family. Apart from the family photo, Noah had found no other clues about them. He knew he couldn’t ignore this; if Dean’s family were to appear unexpectedly, his cover could be blown. Resolving to take a risky step, Noah opened Dean’s phone contacts, searching for his parents’ numbers. 

When he found them, the truth hit him like a thunderbolt. The entries read, “Dad in Heaven” and “Mom in Heaven.” Their absence explained why Noah hadn’t found any signs of their presence in Dean’s life. 

Curious, he opened the message history tied to these contacts. What he saw was a series of one-sided messages from Dean: 

“Mom, Dad, I’ve found him. He’s a gang member.”

“Mom, Dad, I saw the man who killed you today. He’s been sentenced. Justice is served.”

“Mom, Dad, I hate the mafia.”

The final message was a powerful declaration of Dean’s hatred for organized crime. It resonated deeply with Noah, who had his own disdain for such criminal groups. He found a measure of comfort in this shared animosity, feeling aligned with Dean in this one important way.

That night, Noah tossed and turned in bed, unable to sleep. It wasn’t because he couldn’t accept the new reality, but because tomorrow would mark the beginning of his life as Dean Harrison. The person he once was—Noah—would become history. He had no choice but to fully immerse himself in this new life. 

As the morning sunlight streamed through the gaps in the curtains, Noah sat up in bed, his emotions a swirl of complexity. Today was the first day of his new life, and he knew he had to face it with determination and readiness. After freshening up, he dressed in a crisp suit and stood before the mirror, making a conscious effort to look sharp and composed. 

Before leaving the apartment, he took a final look around, inhaling deeply. “From today on, I am Dean Harrison,” he told himself firmly. With that resolve in mind, he stepped out of the apartment and walked toward the street, the morning light casting a new energy through his veins. 

As he breathed in the cool morning air, Dean made his way to the law firm. Along the way, his mind replayed the messages and notes he had reviewed the previous evening, reinforcing his resolve to fully embrace this new identity. 

Upon arriving at the firm, he was directed to a conference room where a few colleagues were waiting. After brief introductions, Dean found them to be friendly and eager to help him settle in. His mentor, Linda Smith, took the time to explain the firm’s work processes and expectations in detail, assigning him a few entry-level tasks to get started. 

His first day was far from easy. Dean was tasked with sifting through a mountain of files and documents, but he maintained a positive attitude, tackling each task with focus and diligence. During lunch, he took out the packed meal he had brought from home and joined his colleagues in the break area. As they chatted, Dean gradually relaxed, beginning to feel more at ease in this new environment. 

The afternoon was even more hectic, but Dean stayed focused and driven. He knew that if he was to establish himself in this new life, he had to prove his worth quickly. 

By the end of the day, when he returned to the apartment, he felt physically and mentally drained. But deep down, he knew this was just the beginning. 

After taking a shower, Dean sat at the desk and opened the notebook again, writing down his reflections for the day. “Today was the first day of my new life. It was busy and exhausting, but I feel fulfilled and accomplished. I know the road ahead will be long, but I’ll stick with it and work hard to become a great lawyer.”

As time passed, Dean gradually adapted to the pace and environment of the law firm. He began to work on various legal cases, from simple contract reviews to complex litigation preparations. Each task taught him new skills and knowledge. He found that he had a genuine passion for legal work, and each day he felt himself growing and improving. 

He worked closely with his team, meticulously studying the details of each case, engaging in thoughtful discussions and debates. Dean understood that this was not just a test of his abilities but also had serious implications for the clients' interests and the firm's reputation. He worked tirelessly, often staying late into the night, but never complained. He knew that this was the path to his growth and success. 

Dean’s hard work started to pay off. His talents and abilities were recognized by his colleagues and superiors. He became involved in more important cases, interacting with a broader range of clients, and accumulating valuable experience and resources. He knew there was still a long road ahead, but he was confident that as long as he kept working hard and learning, he could achieve even greater success in the legal world. At least, that’s what he believed—until a particularly tricky case arrived. 

One day, Dean sat in his office at the firm, a look of concern on his face. He had overheard his colleagues mentioning that Linda was about to assign him a very challenging case. Linda had been busy in her office all morning, preparing for it, which only added to Dean’s unease. 

By midday, Dean was called into Linda's office. The faint scent of coffee lingered in the air, and the sunlight filtered through the blinds, casting warm beams on the floor, offering a stark contrast to the serious atmosphere. Linda sat at her desk, a case file in hand, her gaze sharp as she looked over Dean. 

“Dean,” Linda began, “We’ve got a very complicated case on our hands. Our client is a young heir who’s just taken over his father’s company, but he’s become embroiled in a business mess.” 

Dean nodded, feeling the unease growing in his chest. This heir was clearly no ordinary individual, and his actions were bound to lead to problems. Linda continued, “This young man took some questionable actions while executing the terms of a contract, which upset the other party—a notorious mafia group, the Dragon Gang.” 

When Dean heard the words "mafia," a chill ran through him. He realized that his unease wasn’t just a lingering feeling from his past life; it was something deeper, an instinctive discomfort. He couldn’t help but think of the warning from the mysterious figure he’d encountered in his past life, and the joking remark from his second son—“I wish that in your next life, every single one of your companions would be from the underworld—no decent people, no respectable connections at all.” At the time, Noah had laughed it off, but now those words echoed eerily in his mind. He suddenly felt that this "prophecy" was becoming disturbingly real. 

Linda continued, “The situation we’re dealing with now is that the mafia has developed a strong grievance against our client, and they’ve already assembled their own legal team. They’re hoping for an out-of-court settlement, but we must tread carefully, so as not to escalate tensions—put bluntly, we need to avoid getting into more trouble.” 

Dean took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew that he couldn’t let personal emotions cloud his judgment. What he needed now was a clear mind and a professional approach. He reflected on the past few months at the law firm, how the complex cases and heavy workload had slowly but surely sharpened his skills. He knew it was time to apply that experience to a real case. 

“Linda, how do we handle this case?” Dean asked. 

Linda gave a small smile, offering him an encouraging glance. “First, at the mediation session this afternoon, we need to use the opportunity to understand the other party’s position completely. We must analyze the mafia's background and the strategies they may use. Secondly, we need to devise a comprehensive mediation plan to protect our client’s interests, while avoiding further conflict.” 

Dean nodded. He understood that this was not just a legal issue—it was a challenge of strategy and negotiation. He needed to approach it with calmness and wisdom. As Linda continued explaining the steps and strategies, Dean took detailed notes, his mind turning over how to best handle the situation. 

After several hours of discussion and preparation, Dean felt ready to face this difficult case. He knew that handling a mafia-related case required not only legal expertise but also a strong mental fortitude. He had to stay clear-headed and determined throughout this complex legal battle. 

But before the mediation meeting, they needed to meet with the young heir—the client who had caused all this trouble. The client was already waiting for them in the conference room. As Dean and Linda walked toward the meeting room, Linda continued to explain the details of the client’s background. There was a hint of resignation in her voice as she spoke.