Chapter 5 Reporter Zane went silent for a full five seconds . He was the industry's most famous investigative journalist , known for uncovering truth and fearlessly taking on powerful interests . ] " Ms. Jenkins , do you realize what you're saying ?" His voice carried excitement . " I do . " I replied . " I'll send you the address . Meet me in thirty minutes . " ] After hanging up , I looked at Vivian . ] " Need you to do something . " * Send this diary anonymously to the Bar Association's disciplinary committee . " ] * Say it's from someone inside Sterling & Associates who had a crisis of conscience . " Vivian's eyes lit up . " Double - barrel approach ? " " Exactly . " I nodded . " Let public opinion burn hotter . " " And let professional discipline fall at the same time . " Thirty minutes later , I met Reporter Zane at a quiet cafe . ] He was a scholarly - looking middle - aged man with black - rimmed glasses . ] No small talk - I slid a flash drive across the table . ] " The contents are explosive enough . " " Photos , dates , text - all pointing to one thing . " " Marcus and Nora aren't just having an affair . They're involved in long term professional collusion . " Zane took the drive , eyes sharp . " How do I know you didn't fake this ? " I smiled . ] ] " There's a photo in the diary taken in our bedroom . " " Nora's wearing my silk robe . " " That robe is from an Italian artisan brand , limited edition from last year. I only wore it once . " " You can check the purchase records - paid for with mine and Marcus's joint card . " " And that fountain pen with the engraved initials - the German workshop keeps records . " ] }] " The evidence is even stronger than you'd imagine . " Zane looked at me with newfound respect and scrutiny . ] " Ms. Jenkins , you're remarkably composed . " [ ] " People who've been betrayed can't afford not to be . " I sipped my coffee , tone flat . ] ] After Zane left , I returned to the firm . Marcus called again . ] ] I hung up immediately . [ ] He quickly sent a text ] [ Harper , let it go . Don't make this ugly for everyone . ] ] [ What's the point of destroying me ?! [ We were married . Do you have to be this heartless ? |||| Looking at " married , " I felt sick to my stomach . ] I sent him back a photo . The one of Nora in my silk robe , taken in our bedroom . ] Then I blocked all his contact methods . The next morning , before dawn , news alerts woke me up . Zane's efficiency was stunning . " EXCLUSIVE ! Inside the Sterling & Associates ' Affair Scandal : Behind the Genius Lawyer Persona - Plagiarism or Conspiracy ? " The headline was even more explosive than yesterday's hit piece . The content had photos and receipts . [ ] Key excerpts from Nora's diary were all published . Close - up of the pen engraved with " ILJ . & M.S. " The bedroom photo with my silk robe That explicit " The sunshine is mine alone . " ] Every word was like a slap across Marcus and Nora's faces . ] The article included the robe purchase records and pen customization certificates I'd provided . Perfect evidence chain . Public opinion completely flipped . ] Yesterday's sympathy for Marcus turned into today's rage . [ Holy shit ! Plot twist ! It was adultery + workplace abuse all along ! ] ] [ Marcus is such a scumbag ! Stealing his wife's work for his side piece , then playing victim ? ] ] [ That Nora's no saint either , taking selfies in the wife's robe on their bed , what kind of next - level homewrecker move is that ? Team Harpert Destroy these cheating bastards ! ] ] Almost simultaneously , the Bar Association's internal notice came down . [ ] ' Regarding the recent ' Sterling & Associates Incident ' that sparked major public controversy , the disciplinary committee has received key evidence and formally opened investigations into attorneys Marcus Sterling and Nora Lopez . " Two swords drawn at once . ] Marcus , Nora - can you handle this ?