NovelEnglish
Chapter 315 A Change Of Heart
Ella
The courthouse’s archaic clock chimed, echoing through the expansive corridor. Warm sunlight filtered
through the stained-glass windows, casting a kaleidoscope of colors onto the cold marble floor.
The hum of hushed conversations filled the hallway as I pushed my way out of the bathroom. In a few
minutes, I’d be back in court, facing another round of the tumultuous battle between Logan and the
local tenants.
I wasn’t looking forward to it; not in the slightest. And I especially wasn’t looking forward to it after my
emotional conversation with Miss Smith in the restroom.
Logan’s tall frame called out to me from the end of the hallway. “Ella,” he said, a strange sense of what
almost sounded like remorse in his voice, “I’d like to talk to you.”
The sunlight filtering through caught the flecks of gold in his blue eyes, but they bore an
uncharacteristic uncertainty to them.
“Oh, god,” I thought to myself as I approached. “What is it now?” “Does he look… remorseful?” Ema
asked, perking up slightly. “Maybe he’s had a change of heart after all.”
“Don’t get too excited, Ema,” I said plainly in response. “And don’t give the jerk too much credit. I’m
almost entirely certain that he doesn’t even have a heart in there to change.”
I approached and stopped a couple of feet in front of him, noticing how the hallway was emptying as
the others returned to court. “What is it?” I asked, checking my watch.
“Ella,” he began, his voice lower than its usual confident timbre, “about earlier-*
“What about earlier?” I interjected, raising a brow. “You mean when you tried to intimidate me, or when
you referred to a single mother and her dying son as ‘just business’?”
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThe chandeliers overhead cast soft light, reflecting off the high-gloss wooden benches and illuminating
Logan’s conflicted expression.
Logan’s eyes softened a little more. If I didn’t know better, I would say that his shoulders slumped a
little, too. “It’s about both of those things,” he said.
I sighed, glancing over his shoulder at the bailiff, who was standing by the courtroom door with an
impatient look in her gaze. She held her wrist up and tapped her watch silently, signaling that it was
time to return to court.
“Go on,” I muttered. “But make it quick.”
He hesitated, exhaling slowly. “I’m sorry. For all of it. That’s all I wanted to say.”
I took a deep breath, pressing my lips together. “An apology,” Ema said. “Maybe that’s a start.
Right?”
“Wrong,” I answered her. “It means nothing. And knowing Logan, it’s just another manipulative tactic to
bring me back to his side. And it’s not working, either.”
I said nothing in response to Logan’s apology. partially because the bailiff’s impatient eyes were now
boring holes in my skull.
“Look,” I said, “It’s time to get back in court. Just remember, you may be… complicated in my life, but
first and foremost right now, you’re my client and nothing more. I’m here to win this case for you
because it’s my duty as your lawyer.” I paused, glancing away. “But after your behavior, I’ve been
seriously reconsidering our agreement.”
Logan frowned, running a hand through his jet- black hair, which stood in stark contrast to the creamy
backdrop of the courthouse walls. “Ella, we made a contract. It’s binding, is it not?”
“Yes, we do have a contract,” I replied with a huff, the click of my heels echoing against the stone
flooring. “But binding or not, if I’m dealing with someone who lies about his intentions, it automatically
makes the contract null and void. I may need to rethink things.”
He took a step closer, his scent-a mix of sandalwood and something uniquely Logan- filling the air. “I
never lied about my intentions. But Ella, if you’re so unhappy with our arrangement, after this case is
settled, you can leave. I promise I won’t stop you.”
I blinked, taken aback by his concession. This was not the domineering Logan Barrett I had come to
know. Before I could respond, the bailiff’s voice boomed, interrupting the cocoon of our conversation.
“Counsel, please return to the courtroom. We’re waiting on you.”
With a final glance at Logan, I proceeded towards the large wooden doors of the courtroom. To my
surprise, Logan reached out, holding the door open for me. I murmured a quiet thank you, deliberately
avoiding his gaze, and stepped into the room.
The large chamber felt even more imposing than before. The tall ceilings, flanked by ornate moldings,
dwarfed the attendees. The stained oak of the jury box and the witness stand contrasted with the deep
green of the room’s carpeting.
As I walked down the aisle, the room’s atmosphere was thick with anticipation. Heads turned, eyes
following us, their whispers a constant, hushed undertone. The opposing lawyer, Mr. Delaney, a slender
man with a shock of silver hair, stood as proceedings resumed.
Clearing his throat, he addressed the room. “Your Honor, given the circumstances, my client sees no
winnable outcome here. He’s willing to vacate the premises. But evicting all the tenants-it’s tearing him
apart.”
Murmurs swept across the room, punctuated by the shuffle of papers and the soft creak of leather
seats. I could feel the weight of Miss Smith’s gaze on me. When our eyes met, her look was one of
accusation, disappointment, and a plea for understanding.
It felt like a dagger to my chest, the responsibility and the implications of the case pressing down
heavily. As the room awaited the judge’s response, Logan, in a move that seemed completely out of
character, stood up.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏm“Your Honor,” he began, pausing to look around the room. The sunlight streamed through the high
windows, casting long beams that highlighted the dust motes floating in the air.
“Mr. Barrett?” The judge said, peering at Logan over his wire-rimmed glasses. “Be seated.”
But Logan remained standing.
“Logan,” I hissed quietly, glaring up at him, “what are you doing?”
“Your Honor, I’d like to make another offer,” Logan announced, commanding everyone’s attention.
The judge leaned forward, interest piqued. “Go on, Mr. Barrett.”
Logan took a deep breath. “I will cover the landlord’s missed rent. In return, I won’t build the plaza.
Instead, I’d like permission to erect a statue on the premises-a tribute to the community and its spirit.”
A collective gasp filled the room. Even the judge seemed taken aback, his usually stoic face displaying
evident surprise. Mr. Grayson, mouth agape, blinked a few times as if processing what had just
transpired.
I felt as though the wind had been knocked out of me. All I could do was blink incredulously up at
Logan, my eyes wide with shock.
“Mr. Barrett, are you fully understanding the implications of your proposition?” the judge asked,
eyebrows raised.
“I am, Your Honor.”
Mr. Grayson seemed to find his voice, albeit shakily. “If Mr. Barrett is genuine, my client may be open to
discussing these terms.”
With a nod, the judge declared, “Court will adjourn for today to give both parties a chance to discuss
this new development.”
The sound of the gavel echoed in the silent room, punctuating the end of another chapter in this
ongoing saga. As the audience began to disperse, I turned to Logan, utterly shell-shocked. “What was
that?”
Logan looked at me, the sunlight illuminating his face, revealing the soft creases around his eyes.
“A change of heart, Ella. Or maybe, just maybe, it was there all along.”
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