The polished marble floors of the courtroom gleamed under the overhead lights as Serena Vale adjusted her suit and took a calming breath.
Her heels clicked with quiet resolve as she approached the plaintiff's table, placing her briefcase beside her chair. Today was different. This case wasn't just another lawsuit. It was personal—not to her, but to the man seated at the defense table: Dominic Reign
Dominic looked unbothered as always. Dressed in a tailored navy suit, he sat like a king holding court. His hands were clasped loosely in front of him, his jawline tense, eyes unreadable. There was something deeply unsettling about how calm he was, as if he knew the outcome.
Serena couldn't afford to be fazed. She had a duty to her client, Isaac, whose younger brother, Kay, had gone missing three months ago after accepting a lucrative job offer from Reign Pharmaceuticals. No trace. No resignation letter. No final paycheck. Nothing.
The Judge entered, and the court came to order. Opening statements followed swiftly, and Serena laid out the case with precision.
"My client seeks justice for his missing brother," Serena said, her voice steady. "After joining Reign Pharmaceuticals, Kay vanished without a trace. The company has refused to cooperate with authorities. My client believes Dominic Reign used his brother for illegal experimentation or worse."
Whispers stirred across the courtroom.
Dominic's lawyer stood slowly. "Your Honor, the plaintiff's claims are speculative and unsupported. Reign Pharmaceuticals is one of the most regulated biomedical institutions in the world. The young man was offered a fellowship, not indentured servitude."
Serena watched him, noting the effortless authority in his tone. It wasn't just money. He radiated power. Something more... primal.
After court adjourned for the day, Serena exited into the humid afternoon. She was halfway down the courthouse steps when she felt him behind her.
"Attorney, Can you stop pushing it?" Dominic said, his voice low .
She turned slowly. "I have a duty to my client. His brother is missing. No one just disappears like that."
Dominic smiled faintly. "Perhaps he didn't disappear. Perhaps he found something he couldn't walk away from."
Her brows furrowed. "What's that supposed to mean?"
But Dominic didn't answer. Instead, he slipped into the back seat of a sleek black Bentley and was gone.
That night, Serena couldn't sleep. The more she read about Reign Pharmaceuticals, the more contradictions she found. State-of-the-art labs, but hardly any employee testimonials. Groundbreaking medicines, yet minimal public trials.
Determined, Serena visited the last known address Kay lived at—a shared apartment in the industrial district. His roommate, a scruffy, half-awake mechanic named Tyler, answered the door.
"Kay?" he said. "Yeah, he was excited as hell about that job. Said they were paying him double what he expected. But..."
Serena leaned in. "But what?"
Tyler scratched his jaw. "He changed the night before. Real jittery. Said he had to sign an NDA and give a blood sample. Weird stuff. He packed in the middle of the night and never came back. I thought maybe he hit it big and ghosted us."
Serena frowned. Blood sample?
"Can you repeat what you just said in court?" .
"Yes," Kay's friend replied.
She left the apartment more suspicious than ever. If Reign Pharmaceuticals required something so invasive before hiring, what were they hiding?
Three days later, Serena visited the Reign Pharmaceuticals campus in person. The building loomed like a silver monolith against the skyline—all glass and steel, surrounded by lush forests. She had called ahead, requesting access to Kay's personnel records under court approval.
To her surprise, the receptionist greeted her with a smile. "Mr. Reign said you might stop by. He's waiting for you."
Serena's stomach tightened. Why would he be waiting for her?
She was led through a series of sterile corridors until she was inside his private office—a sleek, minimalist space with floor-to-ceiling windows and a faint scent of sandalwood and something else... muskier.
Dominic stood by the window, hands in his pockets. "Ms. Vale. Curiosity is a dangerous trait."
"Not as dangerous as whatever you're hiding," she said boldly.
He chuckled, eyes gleaming. "You want Kay's file. It's been declassified." He handed her a slim folder.
Serena opened it slowly. The file contained the basics: education, interview notes. There was nothing more. Nothing Special.
"I'll take this and I'll see you in court." Serena said as she took the files to leave.
"And what if I'm proven innocent?"
"Then I hope we get to work together in the future." Serena replied.
"Looking forward to it."
The next hearing was set.
"I'd like to bring in another witness to the case, your honor." Serena said.
Tyler walked in. She questioned him a little and it was time for her big question.
"You told me something about an NDA and stuff. And how he could have agreed to an experiment. Can you tell the court what you told me?"
" No, I didn't say anything as such."
"Are you afraid? Don't worry I'll protect you." Serena told him as wrinkles were already gathering all over her face.
Dominic's lawyer objected saying she was putting pressure on the witness and it was sustained.
Serena had witnessed this a few times, so she wasn't surprised. She just felt bad for her client.
And when the final ruling came, Dominic was found Innocent as there was no substantial evidence that could prove he was guilty.
"Mr Reign." Serena yelled following Dominic outside court.
"How much did you give him?" Serena asked, letting out a slight smirk.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm very busy. Oh!" Dominic turned to her . " I hope to walk with you in the future".
Serena felt her stomach twist inside. These were the people she hated the most .
Her phone buzzed from inside her bag,
"Hello, Rosie wassup."
"Mom, dad. Th— the Alpha and the Luna, blood, bodies…" Rose mumbled in a heavy voice as she cri
ed.
" Calm down and talk to me." Serena replied.
"Come home right now." Rose replied and hung up.