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Industry insiders, clients, and pedestrians stopped to look.
Over my "Evans Design Studio - Grand Opening" banner, she hung a sheet painted with black letters:
"EMILY EVANS RUINED OUR LIVES!"
I looked up. Amanda was hugging Lucas, her hair blowing in the wind. She looked pale and tragic in a white sundress.
Lucas looked sick. He hadn't had his meds.
When the crowd was thickest, Amanda dropped to her knees on the metal grate.
"I am standing here because I have nowhere left to go!"
I have been friends with Emily's husband for years. Six months ago, he saved my son from a fire.
"But... I never imagined... Emily would assume we were having an affair just because of that! She sued her husband, left him penniless, and is suing me for a fortune!"
I begged her. My son has a heart condition. There was nothing improper between us. But she wants to take every penny I have!
"She is a powerful businesswoman. She has connections."
My voice is silenced by her lawyers.
"I have no choice but to do this..."
I just want justice! I just want my quiet life back!
"If I can't get justice today, I will take my son..."
And go join his father in heaven!
She bowed her head, pressing it against the grate.
Her performance was Oscar-worthy. The crowd began to murmur sympathetically.
"What the hell? A firefighter saves a kid and gets sued?"
"That's ridiculous. Does a hero need a lawyer before saving someone now?"
"This Emily woman sounds like a psycho!"
Amanda stayed bowed. But I saw the corner of her mouth twitch upward.
I sat in the window seat of the Starbucks across the street, watching quietly.
I pulled out my iPhone and texted my assistant.
