Chapter 3: The Dark Past

Emily's eyes searched Julian's face, trying to read his expression. But his eyes were guarded, his smile neutral.

"What's going on, Julian?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper. "What's happening with this case?"

Julian's smile faltered for a moment, before he regained his composure. "I don't know what you're talking about, Emily," he said. "The case is just like any other. We'll do our best to win it, of course."

Emily shook her head, frustration building inside her. "No, Julian. I know something's going on. I've seen things... heard things. And that message on the whiteboard..."

Julian's eyes narrowed, his voice taking on a warning tone. "Emily, I think you're getting a little too worked up over this. Maybe you should take a step back, focus on your work."

Emily felt a surge of anger at Julian's patronizing tone. But before she could respond, a voice interrupted them.

"Julian, Emily, I need to talk to you."

It was Harrison, his face grave with concern. "I've been going over the case files, and I think I've found something. Something that could change everything."

Julian's expression turned serious, his eyes locked on Harrison's. "What is it?" he asked.

Harrison hesitated, glancing around nervously. "I think we should discuss this in private," he said.

Julian nodded, his eyes flicking to Emily. "Let's go to my office," he said.

As they walked to Julian's office, Emily couldn't shake the feeling that something was off. That they were all hiding something from her.

And then, as they entered Julian's office, Emily saw it. A photograph on Julian's desk, showing a group of people Emily didn't recognize.

But one face stood out. A face that made Emily's blood run cold.

"Who's that?" Emily asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Julian's eyes flicked to the photograph, before he looked away. "Just an old friend," he said.

But Emily knew that was a lie. She could see it in Julian's eyes.

And as she looked closer at the photograph, Emily realized that she was staring at a piece of Julian's dark past. A past that he would do anything to keep hidden.