Laurel walked out of the courtroom, her steps quick. Anger surged through her rising to the surface.
She couldn't believe that she had lost her fucking case.
She had been working hard on it for weeks, pulling all-nighters and doing everything she could to make sure she won.
Where the hell did she go wrong?
She barely noticed as people made a wide berth as she walked, a scowl making her beautiful features look harsh and intimidating.
Laurel slammed her office door behind her, still, her anger boiled just beneath the surface. She glanced at the case files on her desk and swiped her hand across it sending everything crashing to the floor including her desktop computer.
She didn't stop then, she moved to the shelves behind her lined with photos, awards, and figurines and sent them crashing to the ground.
A sound of frustration left her and she moved to the shelf sending the books crashing, she didn't stop instead she saw a tiny red flashing light among the books thrown across the floor.
She crouched low and reached for the light, picking up the small device, eyes narrowing when she held the small piece of metal flashing red, realizing it was a small camera.
How the hell did that get there?
More importantly who had put it there in the first place and why?
She raised her gaze across the room, searching the room with new eyes, searching for more camera's.
She moved with purpose through the room, she tossed more things to the floor. This time however not out of anger but searching for cameras or possibly a bug. If there was one camera there was the possibility of there being more than just the one.
She didn't find anything until she looked around her overturned desk and found what she had been searching for a second bug, taped beneath her desk.
She dropped it to the floor and stomp her heel on it, looking up with an angry glare, lips twisting into a scowl.
She had no idea who bugged her office but she sure as hell was going to find out.
The first thing Laurel did was try to determine how long ago the bugs had been planted. It was hard to say because she couldn't be sure how long that was.
She had no idea that she was being watched or why and it frustrated her. It was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
She couldn't for the life of her figure out how long and moved on to who could have done it and why and to do that she had to start with anyone who had access to her office in the last couple weeks who might have the motive to spy on her.
It took time but Laurel was able to narrow down her suspect list to a few co-workers and clients and finally Lianna. Next, she looked for motive and surprisingly enough Lianna was the only one who might have the motive to do something like this.
Laurel recalled the comment Lianna had made when she came to her for help when she made it sound like Laurel had done something in her past that was better off left uncovered.
There was something there and she was determined to find out what exactly that was but to do that she would need to learn everything she could about Lianna.
Laurel started digging into Lianna's life, running a background check on her, learning she had finished college and started law school where she learned her Earth 1 counterpart attended at the same time as Lianna.
Laurel dug in deeper and found that Lianna had lost her parents in a car crash when she was sixteen and afterward she went to live with her aunt and uncle who put her through college and helped her find her way.
It was quite the life story but things got really interesting when she found Lianna was kicked out of Law School for cheating.
Laurel was honestly surprised by this. In the time that she had met with Lianna she didn't come across as someone who would cheat and taking a look at Lianna's previous test score and records, it didn't appear that she needed to resort to something so underhanded. So why did she? She was a smart girl.
It left the question of why she would jeopardize her future for something so risky.
She thought back to how she was sure there was some kind of bad history between Lianna and her Earth 1 doppelganger. Maybe this had something to do with it.
But if she was right and it was Lianna she would have to play this close to her chest, go along with whatever game the woman was playing and once Lianna reveals her true intentions, she would strike back against her.
For the next two weeks Laurel allowed Lianna to think they were friends and she was helping her, they got lunch in her office three times a week.
She started discussions that took on a more personal route. Asking Lianna about her family, what she was up to lately.
Lianna didn't seem to think anything of it much to Laurel's surprise.
Lianna revealed that her aunt and uncle were doing great, they were supportive and helped her when they could. She admitted she was working as a waitress at a diner down by the pier for the last two years.
Still, Laurel felt like despite her willingness to answer all her questions, there was something Lianna was keeping from her. Something crucial.
A knock sounded on her office door and Laurel looked up from her desk to see Lianna walk inside, wearing a large purple coat that swamped her figure.
Laurel was more or less used to Lianna wearing coats that looked far too large on her, covering the woman's figure completely. On more than one occasion Laurel wondered what she was trying to hide underneath all those coats.
"Lianna, you're early, I wasn't expecting you for another hour but perhaps since you're here early we can go over your case. I think I have a way of really helping you." Laurel forced a smile, hoping it didn't look fake.
Lianna shut the door behind her. "How about we cut the crap, Laurel. That smile does not fool me."
It was only then that Laurel noticed Lianna usually beautiful features were twisted into a scowl, her eyes dark with anger.
"What's wrong, Lianna?" Laurel questioned slowly.
"I know you've been looking into me." Lianna accused. "Looking into my aunt and uncle and anyone else who is a part of my life."
Laurel stood and walked around her desk toward Lianna. "And how could you possibly know that? Have you been spying on me?"
"When did you find the Camera?" Lianna questioned. "How long have you been playing me?"
"I've been playing you?" Laurel laughed bitterly. "That's rich. You've been playing me since the day you came to me for help. I know you never needed my help, you were after something else entirely."
Laurel stepped forward until she was in reaching distance of Lianna and glared at her. "What is it that you're after here, Lianna? What do you really want from me?"
"To ruin your life. Like you ruin mine." Lianna said with acid in her tone.
"How did I ruin your life?" Laurel questioned carefully. She was pretty she had an idea but she wanted Lianna to confirm it.
"You're sick." Lianna accused. "You want to rub it in my face by having me say it."
Laurel said nothing, her look becoming challenging.
Lianna glared. "You ruined my life when you exposed me for cheating and got me kicked out of law school. My future was right in front of me and you took it from me and as if that wasn't enough you had to fuck my boyfriend! I trusted you and you betrayed me! You don't care whose life you ruin as long as it benefits yours. Who cares who you hurt as long as Laurel Lance ends up at the top, right?!"
Laurel didn't know what to say. From everything she knew about her Earth 1 self, she was good, she had a perfect reputation and everyone respected her. She was loyal to her friends.
What Lianna was accusing her of sounded nothing like the woman she had learned about but she knew better than anyone the secrets people keep.
Still, she wasn't going to let her Earth 1's past mistakes ruin the life she had built for herself. She took a step forward. "You think you can ruin my life with mistakes I made in the past? For the wrong choices you mad? You really think anyone's going to take your word over mine? I am the D.A. and you're no one. Nothing you can say will turn against me."
"Not even that you're working with Vigilantes?" Lianna challenged.
"Not a single person would believe you." Laurel jaw clenched.
"They would if I have proof. Hard evidence to back up my claim." Lianna squared back her shoulders.
"You're bluffing." Laurel accused, her hackles rising. "If you had proof you wouldn't need to come to me. You could just go public with what you have."
Lianna's lips twisted into a smirk, her eyes glinting. "Are you really willing to find out if I'm bluffing? It will ruin you. Stupid and reckless if you ask me. But hey, it's your reputation at stake and your freedom."
"What are you demanding of me exactly?" Laurel asked carefully. If Lianna was telling the truth and she really did have proof it would not be good for her or anyone else.
"Fifty grand," Lianna answered, eyes glinting.
"Fifty grand," Laurel repeated incredulously. "You can't be serious. What makes you think I have that kind of cash."
"You know people Laurel. You're the DA, you have ways with coming up with that kind of cash and if you don't want your world to come crashing down around you, you're going to give me exactly what I want." Lianna stepped back toward the door, her fingers curling around the handle.
"And if I refuse?" Laurel challenged.
"Are you really willing to lose everything? Do yourself a favor and just do as I ask that way we all win here." Lianna pulled the door open. "Expect a call from me soon."
Laurel watch her walk out and she felt her blood boil, her lips twisting into a scowl, jaw clenching.
How dare anyone blackmail her, make demands of her. Let alone someone like Lianna?
She had underestimated Lianna's character but she wouldn't make that mistake again.
If Lianna wanted an enemy she got one. Laurel would make Lianna pay for her schemes and the woman would have no one to blame but herself.
She would see she wasn't dealing with just any Laurel Lance.
No. She was dealing with Black Siren and she would regret it.