Chapter 30 – The Battle of Minds

The courtroom felt like a pressure cooker, every second stretching into an eternity as Emma and Alex clashed—not just in arguments, but in sheer presence.

Emma sat upright, her hands resting calmly on the table, but inside, her mind was running a hundred miles per hour. She knew what Alex was doing. He wasn't just countering her points—he was making her the center of the battle.

Personal attacks.

Twisting the narrative.

Trying to shake her confidence.

But she wouldn't let him win.

Alex, on the other hand, sat with that familiar smirk, as if this was just another game for him. His confidence was infuriating, yet somehow, she couldn't look away.

The judge's voice broke through the tension. "Ms. Carter, would you like to respond to Mr. Kingston's statement?"

Emma stood, her heels clicking against the polished floor as she made her way toward the center. She met Alex's gaze head-on.

"With all due respect, Your Honor, Mr. Kingston's attempt to shift blame is nothing more than a distraction tactic. The facts remain unchanged—Kingston Enterprises breached their contract, and no amount of misdirection will erase that truth."

She turned slightly, letting her voice carry through the room. "Mr. Kingston might be used to winning by intimidation, but the law does not bend for arrogance. It bends for justice."

A murmur rippled through the courtroom.

For the first time, Alex's smirk wavered.

Good. Let him feel it.

The judge nodded. "We will reconvene in one week for further proceedings."

As soon as the gavel hit, the tension snapped. Lawyers murmured amongst themselves, papers shuffled, and the courtroom began to clear.

But Emma didn't move.

She felt his presence before she even saw him.

"You really enjoy making me the villain, don't you?" Alex's voice was low, laced with something unreadable.

Emma turned, lifting a brow. "I don't make you anything, Kingston. You do that all on your own."

His lips curved, but there was something darker behind his usual amusement. "You've got a sharp tongue, Carter."

She crossed her arms. "And you've got an overinflated ego. Looks like we're even."

Alex stepped closer, lowering his voice. "You're playing a dangerous game."

Emma tilted her head, unfazed. "I never play games, Kingston. I just win them."

The air between them was charged, electric in a way that neither of them wanted to acknowledge.

But they both felt it.

Before Alex could respond, Lily stepped in. "Emma, we should go."

Emma gave Alex one last glance before turning on her heel and walking away.

Alex watched her go, something flickering behind his eyes. This wasn't over. Not even close.

---

Later That Night – A Moment of Reflection

Emma sat on her apartment balcony, a glass of wine in her hand as she stared out at the Philadelphia skyline. The city lights flickered, mirroring the thoughts racing in her mind.

She should have felt satisfied. She had held her ground in court, put Alex in his place, and kept control of the case.

But instead, all she felt was restless.

There was something about Alex—something that unsettled her. He wasn't just an opponent; he was a challenge. A puzzle she couldn't quite solve.

Her phone buzzed, breaking her thoughts.

A text from an unknown number.

Unknown: You should be careful, Carter. Some people don't like losing.

Her grip on the glass tightened. She had no doubt who it was.

Emma smirked as she typed back.

Emma: Good thing I never lose, then.

She set her phone down and leaned back, exhaling slowly.

This war with Alex Kingston was far from over.

And deep down, she didn't want it to be.