Chapter 8

Dean’s fingers clenched involuntarily, his knuckles turning white with the force of his grip. He could feel his pulse pounding in his temples, the urge to lash out nearly overwhelming. But he forced himself to take a deep breath, to swallow the searing frustration that threatened to explode. He held Damon’s gaze, his voice a low rasp, barely able to keep his composure as he squeezed the words out from between clenched teeth, the same line as before: "Is there any other way?"

Damon’s smile deepened, a mischievous glint sparking in his eyes as he leaned into the game with even more audacity. “Oh, there’s another way—sleep with you, three times,” he said, his tone dripping with mockery. His gaze locked onto Dean’s with unflinching boldness, treating the negotiation as though it were a theatrical performance crafted for his amusement. In Damon’s playful yet piercing eyes, Dean could see his own rising frustration reflected, twisting into an unbearable sense of futility.

Dean clenched his jaw, forcing himself to exhale slowly, pushing back the tide of anger threatening to overwhelm him. It took everything in him to keep his voice steady, cold, and cutting. “It seems we really can’t have a proper conversation.”

But Damon didn’t pull back. Instead, he leaned forward slightly, his voice dropping to a low, measured tone that carried an undercurrent of menace. “You haven’t considered how your precious Linda might get caught in the crossfire, have you? Or maybe, she’s already paying the price.” His words hung in the air like a drawn blade, sharp and deliberate, and his eyes bored into Dean’s with a calculated intensity.

The mention of Linda struck a nerve, as Damon no doubt intended. Dean’s mind raced, anger colliding with worry. Damon had expertly zeroed in on his weakness, forcing him into a corner where every choice felt like a loss. The weight of Damon’s veiled threat pressed down on him, leaving him no room to deflect, no space to escape.

The tense silence between them was broken by the faint vibration of Dean’s phone. He glanced at the screen, and the message he read made his heart sink. A colleague had texted him with news that Linda had once again confronted the firm’s leadership on his behalf. This time, the consequences were far graver—her suspension had been escalated to indefinite. The message was peppered with words of consolation, but Dean felt no relief, only a growing weight in his chest. Linda’s unwavering support had come at a cost she couldn’t afford, and now her punishment was as harsh as his own. A sharp pang of guilt and helplessness tightened around his heart.

Damon’s eyes, still filled with their usual mix of arrogance and amusement, glimmered knowingly. “Judging by that look on your face, I’d say I hit the mark. Are you really willing to let Linda keep taking the fall for you?”

Dean froze, Damon’s words striking a nerve. He had been so consumed with avoiding the traps set by Leroy Tam and Damon that he hadn’t truly confronted the full extent of the consequences spiraling around him. A whirlwind of thoughts raced through his mind. Leroy Tam’s vendetta wouldn’t disappear just because the truth was uncovered; his malice would linger, targeting Dean and anyone close to him. And Linda—her unwavering loyalty would only draw her deeper into the crossfire. Even if they managed to clear his name, the stains left by the controversy might make it impossible for either of them to rebuild their careers in the legal world.

Damon, sensing Dean’s hesitation, leaned in, his voice smooth yet pressing. “You need to think this through carefully. Your situation isn’t just complicated—it’s untenable. You’re not just up against Leroy Tam; you’re battling the firm itself. The longer you stay in this struggle, the more it will grind you down. Why fight a losing battle when you could accept my offer? It’s still on the table, at least for now. Next time you blink, who knows? I might withdraw it.”

With a casual motion, Damon retrieved the contract he had flaunted before, sliding it back across the table toward Dean. His expression was inscrutable, but his words carried a weight of finality, forcing Dean to confront a choice he had desperately tried to avoid.

Dean's resolve began to waver as he stared at the contract on the table, his mind a storm of indecision and turmoil. Damon’s proposal had caught him off guard, but he couldn’t deny it presented a viable way forward—albeit one entangled with the very kind of organization both Dean and his past self, Noah, abhorred: the underworld.

Seeing Dean hesitate, Damon leaned in slightly, his tone calm but persuasive. “This is a consultancy contract with the Dragon Gang. It outlines all the benefits, responsibilities, and terms you’d need to adhere to. I know you’re a talented lawyer, and we need someone exactly like you. Take the contract home, review it thoroughly, and think it over.”

Dean picked up the contract, carefully scanning the terms. There was nothing outrageous—no calls to engage in violence or illegal activity—just tasks that aligned closely with a criminal defense lawyer’s usual scope. With his extensive legal expertise as Dean Harrison, this work seemed feasible. Yet, a mix of doubt and tentative hope stirred within him. He had to admit, the compensation and perks offered by Dragon Gang were far superior to anything his current firm could provide.

Damon’s tone softened but still carried an unmistakable authority. “Alright, I’ll give you three days to consider it. This isn’t just about you; it’s about Linda and your career prospects. You don’t have to decide right now, but remember—my offer is sincere. Make sure you carefully review every clause in that contract. I’d hate for you to come back later and claim the ‘Gang’ was unreasonable.”

Dean nodded silently, the weight of conflicting emotions pressing on him. He even felt a pang of shame for his earlier accusation that Gang was "unreasonable." He understood he was facing a crossroads, one that would shape his future both professionally and personally. With a measured breath, he expressed his gratitude, saying, “Thank you. I’ll give your offer serious thought.”

Damon gave a faint nod before rising to leave. At the door, he turned back, his voice carrying a note of encouragement. “I hope you’ll make the best choice for yourself.”

As Damon walked away, Dean sat frozen, his thoughts racing as he clutched the contract. Damon’s words echoed in his mind, and he knew he needed to approach this decision with utmost clarity, weighing every consequence.

In the end, Dean didn’t take the full three days. After just one day of deliberation, he made his decision: he would accept Damon’s proposal. It was a choice he knew would disappoint Linda, but circumstances left him no alternative. That evening, he reached out to Linda and arranged to meet her at the café near her apartment. There, he intended to break the news.

“Linda, we need to talk.” Dean inhaled deeply, striving to maintain a semblance of composure.

Linda looked up, her eyes filled with both curiosity and a faint sense of unease. She fixed her gaze on Dean, waiting for his explanation.

“I’ve received an offer from Damon to work as Dragon Gang’s legal consultant,” Dean said plainly, his voice steady despite the storm of emotions inside him. “And I’ve decided to accept it.”

Linda froze, stunned by his words. A moment later, she shot to her feet, slamming her hands on the table. “Are you kidding me, Dean? I told you to ask Damon for his testimony, not to go job hunting!”

Dean gestured for her to sit down, his voice calm but earnest. “Linda, please, just hear me out.”

Though still brimming with anger, Linda reluctantly sat back down, her piercing stare demanding an explanation.

Dean continued, his tone measured but heavy. “I’ve thought about this from every angle. Even if Damon helps clear my name, Leroy Tam won’t back down, and the situation at the firm will only get worse for me. Most of all, I can’t keep dragging you into this. Damon’s offer, as unexpected as it was, might be the best way forward—not just for me, but for everyone involved.”

Linda’s expression softened slightly, her anger giving way to a mixture of pain and helplessness. She could see the logic in his decision, but disappointment and a sense of loss weighed heavily on her.

“Dean,” she began, her voice trembling, “I just wanted you to stay the honorable lawyer I know you are, not to—” Her words caught in her throat, unable to finish.

Dean moved closer and gently took her hand, his grip firm but comforting. “Linda, no matter where I work, I’ll hold on to my principles. I promise you that. And even after I leave the firm, you’ll still have me in your corner—not just as a colleague, but as a true friend.”

Linda exhaled deeply, tears brimming in her eyes. “You know, Dean, I’ve always thought of you as more than just a friend—more like a younger brother and my closest confidant.” Her voice faltered, but she pressed on. “If this is the path you’ve chosen, I’ll respect your decision.”

Dean nodded silently, his gratitude evident in his gaze as he looked at Linda. “Thank you, Linda. Your support means the world to me.”

Linda forced a faint smile, giving his shoulder a gentle pat. “Go on, and take care of yourself.”

After making a brief stop at the law firm to finalize his resignation, Dean headed to Dragon Gang’s headquarters for his meeting with Damon. Inside an opulent office, Damon sat comfortably behind a grand desk, his expression calm but brimming with satisfaction as he regarded Dean.

“It seems you didn’t take long to make up your mind,” Damon remarked coolly, his tone carrying a note of triumph.

Dean nodded, producing the contract from his bag. “Before I sign this, I have one question: Why did you choose me?”