Chapter 3 Final hearing for " Pacific Industries v . TH Corp " -packed courtroom . I sat at the defendant's table , calmly watching the plaintiff's side . Nora was in designer everything today , hair perfect , radiating confidence . Court began , and as plaintiff's counsel , she spoke first . ] " Our core argument is that defendant TH Corp engaged in systematic contract fraud , with our evidence chain demonstrating ... " She was articulate , logical , sharp . Every word she spoke had once been mine , hammered out during late nights and filed away in my most confidential documents . I used to think that was lawyers sharing a commitment to justice . [ ] Now I realized I was just being pathetically naive , and Marcus was the coldest thief of all . ] The really sick part ? Marcus was sitting front row in the gallery . Listed as an " expert consultant for Nora's side , looking all professional in his expensive suit . [ ] The way he looked at her was full of admiration and encouragement - like she was his greatest masterpiece . He didn't even glance my way . Like we were complete strangers . [ ] Nora's presentation earned approving nods throughout the courtroom . When she finished , dead silence ] The judge looked at me : " Counsel for defendant , you may proceed with your response Marcus had this barely - there smirk on his face . In his mind , I was screwed , completely outmaneuvered Nora shot me a victor's look too . I put away my phone and stood up , every eye in the courtroom on me . Simple movement , but suddenly I was the center of attention . ] " Why you stand up ? " the judge prompted Marcus frown . Nora also looked at me with this mix of scrutiny and confusion . [ ] Instead of jumping into my response , I turned to the judge . ] " Your Honor , before I begin , defendant moves to examine plaintiff's expert consultant , Mr. Marcus Sterling . " My voice carried clearly through the microphone , calm and controlled . ] " Per court rules , we have the right to challenge the neutrality and credibility of expert consultants . " ] Murmurs rippled through the gallery . I paused , letting my gaze cut through the crowd to land precisely on the man whose face was already changing color , then added : " After all , Mr. Sterling is my husband . " The courtroom exploded . [ ] Dozens of eyes ping - ponged between me , Marcus , and Nora - shock , confusion Ignoring the chaos , I plugged my flash drive into the court's system . Nora's supposedly brilliant examination outline appeared on the big screen . [ ] " Ms. Lopez's strategy is indeed remarkably precise ." I said evenly , pulling up the document properties . ] " The logical framework is based on a very unique triple - evidence trap model . " The screen showed creation time , edit history , everything . Nora went pale . [ ] I continued : " This model is my personal creation , never published anywhere . " ] " Perhaps Ms. Lopez could explain to the court the reverse engineering steps for anticipated counter arguments in this model ? " || Every eye in the room focused on Nora . She stood there , lips trembling , unable to say a single word . She was just the messenger - no clue about the theory behind it . " Your Honor ! " she suddenly cried out , turning to the bench looking all helpless . " Marc , I don't know what's happening , she's attacking me , I didn't plagiarize anything . " What a perfect little victim act . Marcus couldn't sit still anymore . He jumped up and strode over to shield Nora , playing the righteous protector He glared at me and hissed under his breath : " Harper ! Have you lost your damn mind ? You want to destroy all of us here ? ] Looking at him like this , I almost laughed Chapter 1 " Destroy ? " I stepped closer , matching his low volume . " Honey , the show's just getting started . " ]