Spring broke the icy grip of winter, but the lawsuit hung over James like lingering frost. Between endless slides and rushed commutes to ULS, he caught the first cracks in Nomura’s composure. A twitch, barely perceptible, surfaced above his left eye whenever the case was mentioned. He tried to mask it by turning his face aside, but those who knew him saw. James said nothing, but his stomach sank each time.

Negotiations stalled.

“Why can’t you meet us at thirty thousand?” Moynihan pressed. “It’s the max settlement that doesn’t have to be reported to the board.”

“After what our client went through? No less than one-fifty.” The plaintiff’s lawyers wouldn’t budge.

Another week, another stalemate. Moynihan tried to force ULS’ hand.

“We’ll offer twenty on behalf of Nomura,” he said. “ULS should cover the rest.”

The ULS attorneys scoffed. “Nomura was negligent. He destroyed the original requisition to cover his error. We’ll go to sixty-five, no more.”

James sat in Nomura’s office when the update came through.

“They’re accusing you of destroying evidence,” Moynihan’s voice crackled over speakerphone.

Nomura froze. “My error?”

“They’re splitting the defense. Playing straight into the plaintiff’s hands.”

Nomura turned to the bookshelf, arms braced, voice low. “Why are they doing this?”

“Something’s off,” Moynihan admitted. “Carlisle reassured me, but…”

When the call ended, Nomura leaned back, twitch unhidden. “If this doesn’t settle, we’ll be dragged to trial.”

“This is insane!” James burst out. “It was their mistake. They’re scapegoating you!”

“Shh.” Nomura raised a calming hand. “Anger won’t change what’s happened. We must let the lawyers work.”

“But ULS won’t even stand with you! What kind of partnership is that?”

Nomura gave a weary smile. “What goes around comes around. Treat others with honesty, even if they don’t return it. That’s all you can control.”

James swallowed hard, hearing Deanna’s voice in his head, Remember why you’re here, James. Remember who you’re becoming.

Back at Memorial, James found Carlos and Deanna waiting in his office. Their faces were grave.

“Maybe you’d better start,” Deanna said softly.

Carlos leaned in. “I’ve been seeing someone. A nurse at Riverside’s blood bank.”

James blinked. “And?”

“I dropped by last night. Guess who I saw in Hartman’s office?”

James frowned. “Who?”

“Carlisle.”

Deanna’s eyes widened. “Carlisle? At Riverside?”

Carlos nodded. “Third visit this month, according to my friend.”

“Did you hear what they discussed?” James asked.

“No. But my friend swears Hartman’s secretary has been drafting a contract between Riverside and ULS.”

The room went silent.

“They’re going to cut Nomura loose,” Carlos muttered. “Quid pro quo. They take a hit, so they hit back.”

James wanted to argue, but Nomura’s weary words replayed in his mind. What goes around comes around.

“Do we tell him?” Deanna asked.

James hesitated. “Maybe he already knows.”

Carlos left, muttering about PR disasters and betrayal. Deanna lingered, slipping onto the chair beside James. She leaned against his shoulder, jasmine filling the space between them.

“I hope it settles,” she whispered.

“So do I,” James admitted, though doubt gnawed at him.

That night Carlos drove straight to Riverside. He needed answers—not for himself, but for Dan. Married. Untouchable. But Carlos had always watched his back.

Josh, the nurse in green scrubs, smiled when Carlos appeared.

“Didn’t expect you.”

“Me neither. Can we talk somewhere private?”

Minutes later, behind a closed office door, Carlos cut to the point.

“About Carlisle. Did Hartman’s secretary tell you anything?”

Josh nodded. “She’s been drafting contract papers. ULS and Riverside.”

Carlos’ chest tightened. There it was. Proof.

He hugged Josh quickly. “Thank you. I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”

As he left, his thoughts turned not to contracts but to Dan. Locker room jokes. The “sex god” banter. The façade he maintained. But beneath it, a loyalty stronger than friendship.

Quid pro quo.

Always.

Next Chapter: Chapter 30-Unexpected Encounter