Chapter 4 - Harvey

"What did you do?" Jessica asks me as soon as I arrive at the office this morning

"I feel like you know already, so why don't you enlighten me?" I suggest

"Daniel Hardman just walked in, asking everyone to join him in the library" she informs me

"No fucking way..." I curse as I rush to the library.

In fact, he is there, with so many people listening to the bullshit coming out of his mouth.

"When I ran Pearson Hardman, I was charming and witty. I was also unscrupulous, power-hungry and greedy. I thought I could get away with anything. And that's exactly what I tried to do. I risked the firm's reputation and the careers of everyone in it. These last few years have humbled me. And I've decided to come back and show that we can be a successful law firm without breaking the rules" he states.

Bullshit.

"Unfortunately, the only way that I can do that is by coming clean about my past. Because if we are busy hiding what we have done... it leaves us vulnerable to anyone who discovers our secrets. And we become so consumed with keeping them, that it is a slippery slope to doing even worse things. While I was head of this firm, I borrowed funds from various escrow accounts. The clients never found out about it. I paid back every cent. But make no mistake, I could have been convicted of theft, plain and simple. I want everyone here to know the kind of man I was. And the kind of man I am. Thank you".

Bullshit!

The crowd splits up and Daniel walks over to us. "Jessica, I understand why you had Harvey do what he did. But I'm not the same person. And the only way that I could think to prove it was by doing what I just did. I also told my daughters everything, both of them, and we decided to move forward as a family. So, I hope we can figure out a way to work together too".

Fuck!

Jessica turns to me again as he leaves us. "Why is he emphasizing the fact that he talked to both of them?" she questions

"I assume he saw me talking to Anastasia after the funeral" I admit

"You did what?!"

"For the record, she talked to me first"

"This isn't an elementary school, Harvey. And considering your past with her, it's too risky for you to get involved" she claims

"How so?" I wonder

"Did you know that Anastasia's soon-to-be mother-in-law is judge Atkins? The same judge Atkins that never rules in our favor because she hates you" she reveals. "The only good thing now is that we can use Daniel's return to kick her off any cases we have. As soon as his daughter and her son sign that marriage license, we can claim conflict of interest every time and get the case assigned to another judge" she explains.

"Wait, you knew that Ana was engaged?" I ask

"Oh God... Just stay away from her"

I clear my throat, "Don't worry, married woman aren't my type"

"And I hope she becomes a married woman without you interfering"

"You have my word".

She nods and we go our different ways. I head to my office, ignoring everyone in my way. I kick Mike out. I sit down and open my laptop. I type in 'Judge Lauren Atkins son'. It turns out that she, indeed, has a son with her ex-husband. Dr. Matthew Dickson, neurosurgeon.

"Dickson... Really, Ana?" I chuckle, "Anastasia Dickson... Gross".

"Are you talking to yourself again?" Donna asks as she comes in

"Just doing some research" I answer

"You?"

"Yes, me. Did you need something?" I wonder

"A Dr. Anastasia Morgan called asking for you" she informs me and my heart sinks. "I looked her up, she's a pediatric surgeon. Do you have a love child, Harvey?" she asks sarcastically

"Just tell her I'll call her back when I have time"

"That means... never. What's the story?" she sits down

"There is no story" I lie

"I don't believe you"

"Not my problem" I smile.

"I will found out anyway" she warns me

"Good luck with that" I chuckle.

•••

Anastasia is definitely growing on me; maybe quicker than I expected. We spent the last 4 days together. She follows me into meetings, court, even sits with me through research down in the library. She says she does it so her dad thinks she is enjoying this and stays off her back.

But I think she might be enjoying it for a reason other than law... I definitely am. Honestly, I like her company. She is fun to hang out with, and I find her loud laugh really adorable. She likes to talk about her studies and things she has learned; she is really passionate about science. So I sit back and hear to her rants of knowledge. She's also not afraid to call me out my bullshit, and I love the way she challenges me.

Usually, when I meet a woman, the first thing that draws me in is a set of perky tits, a tight ass, and seductive lips. But for the first time in my life, I'm interested in someone for a differen treason. With Anastasia, the most beautiful thing about her is the way her eyes light up with happiness when she grins. Does she have a great body? Sure. But she radiates that light and positivity... She brightens up every room she walks in. And I've caught myself looking around for her when she's not there.

My mood immediately lightens up when I see Anastasia in the library. I texted her to come down here for a research session and I came carrying gifts; two pizzas. Research sessions mean I'm doing research about one of Jessica's cases while she pretends to help me when in reality she is working on her final thesis presentation.

She doesn't notice me when I walk in, because she is focused on a paper she is holding. "I hope you're hungry" I say as I set the boxes down.

"Fuck me..." Anastasia curses under her breath

"Buy me a drink first, sugar" I chuckle

"Fuck!" she slams the paper on the table

I grab it.

"No--" she tries to take it back.

The Harvard stamp is the first thing I notice. "Any other person on the planet would be over the moon..." I mention as I read the acceptance letter

"Well, I'm not any other person" she states. "This stays between us" she demands.

"What's in for me?" I ask playfully

"You get to keep your job"

"Are you threatening me, sugar?"

"Bingo".

"I won't tell anything, if you convince Hardman to give me my first solo case" I negotiate

"Jessica is your--"

"Doesn't matter. I work with other partners all the time" I inform her.

"Fine, I'll see what I can do" she agrees. "But the chances of him agreeing to give you a case are higher if I tell him I really want to work a case with you" she warns me

"Tell him whatever you have to. As soon as I get that case, you can sit back and work on your thesis while I settle it"

"You have a deal" she smiles and we shake hands on it.

•••

The rest of my day was full, and I got to leave the office after sundown which I hate.

"Specter!" Ana calls as she steps out of her car, before I can get in mine

"I'm not supposed to talk to you" I say as I open my door

"Since when do you do what you're told?" she questions

"You're right" I close the door again. "What can I do for you?" I ask as I search her left hand for a ring. But she keeps it in her pocket.

"Did you know that he was cheating on my mom?" she asks, clearly referring to her father

"Ana..."

"Oh my God... He was right, you knew" she scoffs

"I am sure whatever he told wasn't the whole true" I insist

"When you found out about his cheating, did you or did you not decide to use my sick mother as leverage to kick him out of the firm and keep him out for the last 5 years?"

"It's not that simple"

"It really is!"

"He was stealing money from clients, and tried to convince us that it was for your mother's treatments. But that money actually went to hotels and--"

"That's why you came to the funeral. Your leverage was dead, so you went ahead and used me and my sister this time. And then you sat down and comforted me"

"Did he tell you all that?"

"Yes. And it looks like he was right".

"He was right? Wow, you forgave him this fast? Let me remind you that he hasn't spoken to you in 14 years. Now, he's all of a sudden right?"

"At least he is apologetic. You, on the other hand, are still afraid of admitting fault even after 14 years!"

"That's because I have nothing to apologize for" I insist

"Nothing to ap-- You learned about his cheating and instead of telling Alicia, you thought what a great opportunity to use that information to your advantage" she accuses.

I wanted to tell Alicia. And I was this close to calling her and Ana -which had already being MIA for 9 years at that point. Because I do not take cheating lightly, my mom made me live through since I was too young to even understand it. But I had to do this in order to keep the firm floating and make him give Jessica the reigns. So, yeah, I did it to benefit myself.

Rip off the Band-Aid. Make sure she stays away.

"Fine, Ana. Yes, I knew about his cheating and used your sick mother as leverage. And at the day of her funeral, I used you and your sister in my attempt to keep Hardman out. I did all of that out to benefit myself and the firm. Ok? Is that what you need to hear?".

She nods and looks away. She takes her hand out of her pocket and wipes a tear off her cheek. There is that ring again...

I swallow the lump I feel in my throat, "Are we done? I got to be somewhere"

"Yeah, we're done, Harvey. Thank you for your honesty" she says, avoiding to look at me, and goes back in her car.

I touch the handle of my door but I drop it immediately. I make my way to Ana's car and stop her door from closing. "I wouldn't have done that if there was another way. But we had to push him out for the good of the firm and our clients" I explain

"I don't give a shit about your firm or your clients. So, I hope Daniel comes back and crashes you. I hope his name and only his name stays up on that wall. And I hope he buries you so hard that you never find another firm that lets you in the door, let alone hire you"

"You don't mean that"

"I do, wholeheartedly"

"You're on his side now?"

"No, I'm on my side! The side that's done with all of men's fucking bullshit!" she slams her door closed and drives away.