In the early morning, Donna was lost in thought in her black limousine travelling through the heavy traffic of New York City. The shadows of New York's skyscrapers danced with the morning light in shades of gold and copper. How complicated everything had become; in recent days she felt like she was in a chessboard. The outcome of every move was unpredictable, and this one was no different: A new project.

This new project, which Arnold, her manager, was trying to force upon her, was the source of her growing unease. This time, her instincts were telling her that something was wrong. Years in Hollywood had taught her how valuable it was to be able to sense things, to recognise clues that could not be expressed in words. But this meant she was being dragged into the middle of a legal battle, and her most important ally was her lawyer, Rachel Zane.

Arnold's pressures were intense enough to get on Donna's nerves. As if she had no other choice, he pushed Donna into this project, saying, "Donna, this is your opportunity. ." But Donna's intuition whispered something else. There was something strange.

Rachel Zane was a brilliant and determined lawyer working at one of New York's most famous law firms, ZenithQuest Law Firm. Donna recognised her at a Hollywood event. She was immediately struck by Rachel's honesty and sharp intellect, and from that day on she became a trusted advisor and friend.

Rachel's intelligence and attentiveness made her one of the best lawyers Donna had ever met. Rachel was a guide, a strategist, in the complex waters of the law. Donna had worked with Rachel before and trusted her. She was Donna's shield in this harsh world where everything was shaped by the legal landscape.

When the limousine pulled up in front of the stately building of ZenithQuest Law Firm, Donna took a deep breath. As the driver opened the door, she stepped onto the tarmac in her stiletto heels and began walking towards the building's massive entrance. The building rose into the sky like a masterpiece of modern architecture, its shiny glass surfaces refracting the sunlight. Once inside, the high-ceilinged lobby was lined with marble columns and elegant statues. The vast space was a silent testament to power and authority.

The receptionist immediately recognised Donna and greeted her with a kind smile. "Hello, Miss Paulsen. Rachel Zane is waiting for you," he said, pointing to one of the large, modern lifts. Donna nodded slightly, thanked him and made her way to the lift.

ZenithQuest's luxury lifts were like large glass capsules gliding silently between floors. As she stepped inside and pressed the button for the 26nd floor, thoughts of the deal began to swirl in his mind once more.

The film was a psychological drama based on the theme of infidelity. The story was a narrative in which a marriage is shaken by betrayal and the characters try to cope with the traumas that follow the betrayal. The character Donna was expected to portray was a strong but fragile woman who tries to make the right choices throughout her life but eventually disappears in the shadow of infidelity. Victoria Maiden.

Donna's eyes filled with tears when she realised that the script of her own life was a reality beyond the screen. Writing a story about infidelity was not just playing a role, but revealing her own inner trauma. Taking on the role of the "other woman" in the project brought to the surface once again the forbidden love and guilt in her own life. Being the other woman was a mirror of Donna's relationship with Harvey; it was an existence under the dark, turbulent water of a forbidden love.

The project was literally like a storm: A story of deception, a narrative of betrayal seeping through the cracks of a marriage. Donna couldn't resist Arnold, her manager, who pressurised her to commit herself to the project, but her disgust for it gnawed at her. Playing the role of the other woman in a film about infidelity, while storms raged within her, only increased her self-loathing and guilt.

For Donna, acting in this film was like watching herself in the black mirror of her own soul. Because she was Harvey's forbidden love; she was the "other woman". To take on this role was to witness her own sins and shame being re-enacted on stage.

Lately, she had deepened these inner contradictions. Otis's death had completely shaken Donna's mood, which was already on edge. When Otis learnt of Harvey and Donna's affair, his heart collapsed under the weight of that truth. Donna relived the moment of Otis's heart attack over and over in her mind. She replayed that day, that minute, over and over again in her head like a film scene. The disappointment on Otis's face, the pain and the silence that followed...

This silence, like a curse that settled inside Donna and gnawed at her soul, whispered to her every night as she lay in bed.

Donna was overwhelmed with guilt and pain. She blamed herself for Otis' death. Had she fallen for Harvey's irresistible charms, had she been dragged into the vortex of forbidden love, but should an innocent man like Otis pay the price? She asked herself these questions every night. Her conscience acted like an executioner, confronting her at every opportunity and shouting his guilt.

When she turned inward, there was a woman who could not move in her seat. Deep in her soul, she felt she was responsible for all this. Otis's sudden death had fallen on her like a burden. She remembered the moment this forbidden relationship first began. Harvey's touch, the intense gaze that mesmerised her... At first it had been a kind of adventure, a kind of escape; an exciting, forbidden attraction. But now, all that was left was pain, guilt and loss.

Taking part in the project was like reliving one's own nightmares on stage again and again. To be involved in this project was to surrender oneself once again to the cold steel of betrayal. But still, withdrawing from this project was a betrayal against her manager and her own career. Both options seemed to be pulling her into a bottomless pit.

Donna looked at her reflection in the lift mirror. The woman she saw in her reflection was not the Donna she knew. This was someone lost in guilt and pain, alienated from herself. Accepting this project meant making that pain even greater. But to refuse would have created a major break in her career and increased the pressure from her manager Arnold.

For a moment, she felt tired of being crushed under the weight of these thoughts. There was a tightness in her heart and a cloudiness in her mind. She felt lost, helpless and guilty. Nothing in her life had been the same since Otis's death, and Donna was too tired to take responsibility for it. Outside, life was going on, people were trying to catch up, time was passing by. But for Donna, time seemed to have stopped. She was a prisoner of her own conscience, and this captivity was consuming her more and more every day.

At this point, the only thing Donna could do was to listen to Rachel's suggestions and find a way to achieve her own inner peace. But that path seemed too far, too dark to her now. Her life was at a crossroads and no matter which path she chose, the ghosts of the past would haunt her.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

When the lift doors opened, Donna found herself in the modern and sophisticated office corridors on the 26th floor. Rachel's office, unlike the others, offered a spectacular view of the city through its large windows. Donna knocked on Rachel's door and heard a hearty

"Come in."

Rachel Zane sat at her desk, looking her usual elegant but serious self, focussed on a thick file. When Donna entered the room, she glanced up for a moment as she studied the files in front of her. The sharp intelligence and alertness behind her eyes eased Donna's uneasiness. Rachel was a giant in the legal world; she had always trusted her instincts and experience.

"Donna, welcome," Rachel said. "Come and sit down. I've been analysing this deal for a few days and, to be honest, there are some critical points we need to discuss here."

Donna sat down in one of the leather armchairs and took a deep breath, feeling a little uncomfortable under Rachel's watchful eyes.

Rachel closed the file in front of her, set it aside and opened Donna's file.

"This project presents a very complex story around the theme of infidelity and could be a very powerful narrative for your character. However, from a legal perspective, there are a few red flags here. Firstly, the issue of creative control. Under this contract, your performance and your character in the film is completely at the mercy of the producers and the director. So, as you know, they can change scenes and take your character in a different direction without your approval. This can severely limit your creative control as an actor."

Rachel continued to look at the pages. "This deal seems pretty complicated," she said.

"There are very strict clauses, especially regarding creative control and rights. It seems the production company is trying to minimise your influence and control over this project."

Rachel finally closed the file, leaned back in her chair and gave Donna a sharp look.

"And that's just the beginning. They also don't give you any flexibility in terms of marketing and publicity rights for the film. That could mean they'll use you as a brand, not as an actor, and that could have a negative impact on your image. Being in a film about deception can create speculation, especially about your personal life, and the media can be drawn in other directions." This sentence felt like a knife piercing deep into Donna's soul.

She took a deep breath, keeping the mask on her face, but she found it difficult to hide the trembling in her heart. The danger of the media exposing the dark spots in her personal life had exposed a hidden wound inside her. An inner void widened like a dark pit; the fear that the betrayal in her own life would be made public by this film clawed at Donna's nerves. Her eyes disappeared into a deep void and her thoughts wandered into the recesses of that fear.

It was the last thing she wanted right now.

"What do you suggest I do?" Donna asked, regaining her resolve.

Rachel answered carefully. "I think you should renegotiate this contract and make sure that your creative control and rights to your image are clearly defined. If they don't agree to change these clauses, you should seriously consider abandoning this project. Because not only is your career at stake here, but also your professional reputation."

The warning in Rachel's voice brought up the dark secrets inside Donna once again, but this time more sharply.

Donna took a deep breath and her eyes fell on the clock, reminding her of the meeting with Arnold.

"Shit, I forgot to tell you, we have a meeting with Arnold and the producers in an hour, I want you to come."

Rachel's face changed, Donna had forgotten to tell her something so important.

"Damn it Donna, I've got a meeting, I can't."

Donna rolled her eyes and leaned forward, breaking her comfortable sitting position.

"No! Cancel it, you have to come, you'll come. Come on Rachel, I cancelled my rehearsal for you and came to you!"

Rachel spread a knowing smile across her face, knowing Donna would use it.

"That was different."

"So is this!" Donna said and continued.

"Come on, say you have an emergency and cancel your meeting, I promise I'll send them chocolate."

Rachel laughed and gathered her files and stood up, straightening her skirt, while Donna stood up with her and picked up her bag.

"I'll tell them my mate is a total mess and tells me the most important things at the last minute and puts me in a bind." she said sarcastically and the two of them started walking out the door.

The chaos and noise of the office was an ordinary morning for Rachel. As the two of them walked towards the lift again, Rachel paused and turned towards the oncoming man and put a wry smile on her face.

"I thought murderers always returned to the scene of the crime, I never thought victims did," she said confidently. The man in front of her had a look of disgust on his face. Donna didn't understand what was going on.

"You know how they say murderers always return to the scene of the crime?" the man interrupted Rachel.

"Yeah, I get it, but this is different, I'm not dead, I'm just shaken up. You're the one and only one who's going to get your arse kicked in court, Zane."

Rachel gave a hysterical laugh.

"Why don't you go and deal with your petty inheritance cases, Ross? I hear you blackmailed your way out of your last case, but congratulations, no-one's found out which case or who you blackmailed yet, you're good at hiding, I'll give you that."

Mike smiled and took another step.

"You've done your homework, but the case is more than blackmail. In fact, I have a private meeting with my client this evening."

Rachel didn't back down, in fact she pushed harder.

"Well done, you'll be taking boring divorce cases soon, you're acting like a retired lawyer from the early years of your career Ross, grow up."

"Don't worry Zane," now they were both within a foot of each other. "You'll soon see what a grown man I am." Mike stepped back and turned towards Donna with a smile.

"Good afternoon Miss Paulsen, I hope you have found the book you were looking for in the last few months." With that Mike started to walk away and rounded the corner of the corridor and Donna's heart skipped a beat. Mike's innuendo definitely indicated that he knew something. With that, a light went on in Donna's mind.

In her conversations with Rachel she had mentioned the inheritance case, Mike was Harvey's lawyer, Harvey was the one she was blackmailing. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Donna felt pinned to the floor, the walls closing in and closing in on her.

For a moment the world stopped, the whole thing flashed before her eyes. Mike knew everything, he must have been in the library that day and heard everything. Donna felt like they were fucked.

Rachel stared after Mike for a moment and then turned to Donna.

"What the hell was he trying to say?"

Donna shook her head quickly.

"I don't know," she said calmly. "Maybe this is his new game."

At that moment the lift doors opened and Donna and Rachel entered and pressed the button.

"That son of a bitch. We've been in a contentious case for a month now, I've made a last-ditch effort to arsehole him, but he won't give up. Now he's got a new case, an inheritance case, I haven't got the details yet but I'm on it. To make it not boring for you, this Mike's client didn't want Mike at first - which I think was the right decision - but then Mike intercepted a private conversation and blackmailed him. His client was married and cheating on his wife, and look how well that fits with your scenario!"

And it's relevant to Donna's real life.

It felt like a blow to Donna's soul. Even though she tried to keep a calm and confident expression on her face, somewhere inside, icebergs were breaking, the waters of unknown oceans were rushing in.

This is panic; a deep-seated, uncontrollable fear that she felt down to her bones. Her heart contracted as if it was being squeezed by a steel vice. From the outside, everything might appear normal, but the inner screams could not find a moment's peace. Donna's breath was laboured, a knot in her throat, an unresolvable tangle. Visions flashed before her eyes like transparent nightmares: Those moments when the media attacked her with their poisonous fangs, when her private life was shattered, when her secrets made the headlines. The rumours whispered in secret rooms, the bitter truths revealed under the relentless light of camera flashes... All of them suddenly began to suffocate her.

The fear of not being able to face her own truth, the fear of being confronted... Those forbidden relationships in her life, those passionate but dangerous moments; as they all passed before her eyes one by one, the terror she felt grew even greater. No one knew, but what if they found out? It would not only mean the destruction of a career, but the collapse of a soul. It was a storm of secrets that, once revealed, would be irreversible. The more the media scrutinised what had happened, the darker each memory that echoed in Donna's inner world would become.

A voice inside her screamed: "No one must know!" But how?" The thought that everything could be revealed at any moment was like walking a tightrope; every step threatened a fall, every step an abyss waiting beneath. The fear of every secret, every whisper, every dark corner being brought to light... These thoughts cornered Donna's mind; there was no escape. For a moment it felt as if the ceiling of the office was going to collapse in on her, her breathing became laboured, the air in the room heavy. Her heart began to beat faster, as if every beat was an alarm bell; "Danger approaching, danger approaching!"

𓃭

As they stepped into the meeting room, Rachel's poise, brimming with confidence, was immediately noticeable. Rachel was dressed as usual in a slim, elegant suit, but this time she stepped into the room with a sharper, more defined air. Donna was a little quieter next to her, but Rachel's poise made her feel safe. Rachel's intelligence and firm demeanour instantly changed the atmosphere in the room.

The meeting room was at an altitude, with the chaotic energy of New York City behind glass walls. Sitting around the table, Arnold and the producers took their places confidently in the soft light of the modern chandelier hanging above their heads. Arnold buttoned up his suit jacket and leaned back slightly as the producers seated next to him looked Rachel and Donna up and down. Each seemed to realise that Rachel had come here with a strong case.

Rachel stepped to the centre of the room and a slight but defiant smile appeared on her face as she placed her files on the table. This was the first silent message to the producers and Arnold: There was no victory for them here today.

"Gentlemen," Rachel began, her voice smooth but with a determination that filled the room. "We are here today to have a frank discussion about Donna's creative rights and contributions to this project, and frankly, the outcome of this meeting will be determined by the extent to which Donna's rights and contributions to this project are taken into account."

"Of course, Rachel," Arnold replied with a slight smile, without taking his eyes off Rachel. "Everyone here knows what a talented and valuable artist Donna is. But this-"

Rachel interrupted Arnold.

"Oh no no no. I'm talking. You and the producers have the right to shape this project according to your own visions, I accept that, but what you're missing here is the fact that Donna is a creative force, not just an actress. If you try to move forward with this project without her creative control, it is doomed to failure."

At these words, one of the producers, an older man, his features hard and sharp, took off his glasses and put them on the table. "Look, Rachel," he interjected, a slight impatience in his voice. "What holds this project together is our vision based on years of experience. Donna is talented, of course, but this is a team effor-"

Rachel interjected again.

"A team effort? That's interesting. Because the way I see it, there are more unilateral decisions being made by a few people than a team. Donna will be the heart and soul of this project. Without her creative control, this project is going nowhere. Either you fully respect her ideas and accept her as a partner, or we walk away from this table and you take the consequences of continuing this project without her."

Arnold continued, trying to remain calm in the face of Rachel's clear and sharp demeanour. "Rachel, I realise there is a misunderstanding here. We want Donna to be involved in the creative process, but within certain limits. It is our job to steer this project in a certain direction."

Rachel's eyes narrowed, the slight smile on her face momentarily replaced by a completely serious expression. "You don't misunderstand, Arnold," she said, her voice even more firm and clear now. "We are demanding a redrawing of the boundaries here. Without Donna's creative control and full participation in the project, this is going nowhere. It's in your interests, too."

These words made the atmosphere in the room tense. The producers exchanged brief glances; they had not expected Rachel to defend her stance so strongly and clearly. Donna was even more encouraged by Rachel's bold outbursts. She felt safe with Rachel, and her belief that they would win this battle under her leadership grew.

Donna leaned forward a little more and spoke, her voice full of determination. "I completely agree with what Rachel said. If I'm going to be involved in this project, I want to be at the centre of the creative process. I'm not just a puppet, and I want you all to understand that."

The uncertainty on the producers' faces gave way to a more cautious expression. Rachel continued to speak, taking Donna's explanation behind her. "We need to be clear here. If Donna is not going to have a real role in this project, we will not hesitate to reject it. It's as simple as that. Now, let's talk about how we can align this project with Donna's creative vision."

Arnold tensed at Rachel's open and threatening behaviour, but continued without backing down. "We'll need to talk to the producers some more before we agree to this. It's not a sudden decision."

Rachel's face broke into that distinctive, sly smile again. "Of course, Arnold. But we're not going to waste time. When we came here today, we wanted clarity and decisiveness. If you try to move this project forward without Donna's input, forget what she can do and who she is. It's as simple as that. It's either done right or it's not done at all."

The tension on Arnold's face increased with Rachel's sharp words. The producers were also unable to hide their uneasiness. At this point, Rachel stood up, putting her hand on the files on the table. "We can end this meeting. You have enough time to make your decision. But in the meantime, we will consider our other options. And remember, Donna Paulsen has never been just an option; she has always been a choice, a luxury, and a true leader on this project."

A hush fell over the meeting room. Rachel's words weighed heavily on the shoulders of Arnold and the producers. Rachel glanced at Donna, a look of absolute determination in her eyes. Donna returned the look, her confidence renewed and strengthened. Rachel's determination reminded her once again that this project was worth fighting for. This meeting was not just a meeting; it was a challenge that Rachel Zane had put on the table, and everyone recognised this challenge.

Donna, empowered by Rachel's stance, began to speak, her voice calm but clear. "I didn't come here just as an actor," she said. "If I'm going to contribute to this project, it's not just my face or my name. I want to shape this project as a creative partner. If we don't agree on that, maybe we should reconsider this project."

As the expressions on the producers' faces grew more and more serious, Rachel interjected. "To summarise, there are no actress or agent here. I am here as an advocate for Donna's art and creative rights, and if you want to move this project forward in the right way, you must respect Donna's creative control. We're not here today to compromise, we're here to bring clarity and resolve."

Arnold and the producers fell into a brief silence after Rachel's words. An intense uncertainty and a slight tension filled the air in the room. Rachel's gaze swept over them one by one, seeing a different story in each of their expressions. Some looked uncomfortable, others cautiously withdrew. But there was no trace of triumph, no sign that they were in control. Rachel had come to this meeting today and challenged them openly, and no one should have thought it would be easy.

Rachel gathered up her files and stood up. "I think everything is pretty clear," she said one last time, sending a firm and decisive look around the room. "If you make a decision, let us know. But remember that we will not be involved in this project without Donna's creative control. It's that simple for us."

Arnold and the producers remained silent, a slight look of defeat in their eyes. Rachel glanced up at Donna, a cool but certain gleam of triumph in her eyes. Donna felt strong and confident in Rachel's presence. In this meeting today, Rachel had stood not only as a lawyer, but as a leader, a strategist, and most importantly, a fighter. And in this room, no one would dare stand up to Rachel Zane.

And at the end of the meeting, Donna and Rachel had won, the signatures were signed. The deal was closed.

𓃭

Harvey Specter was alone within the walls of his office, alone with his thoughts and solitude as he watched the complex rhythm of the city. The grey light filtering through the glass filled the room with a cold hue, a far cry from the warmth of his presidential victory. The accumulation of documents and reports in front of him foretold the enormous burden he would carry in the first days of his presidency. Only two days before his move to the White House, Harvey felt like a grandmaster on a chessboard, contemplating his strategic moves. This time, however, he faced an unknown enemy.

Otis's inheritance case had become far more complex and dangerous than Harvey had expected. Otis had been known throughout his life as a powerful, ruthless lobbyist, but the legacy he left behind held darker secrets than he let on. Uncovering the secrets of that legacy and keeping them under control was Harvey's top priority now. The dozens of thoughts that flashed through his mind were accompanied by the guilt he felt over his father-in-law's sudden death and the deep responsibility he felt for Paula.

The door opened slightly and Mike Ross entered with his usual energetic and determined look. Today, however, there was a different expression on his face. There was a look of uneasiness and a kind of apprehension in his eyes, but at the same time a look of confidence that Harvey was used to. Harvey immediately realised that it was not a good sign for Mike to enter his office with such a hesitant step. He put his pen down on the desk and watched Mike approach. He slowly rose from his chair and leaned back.

"Mike," Harvey said, his voice calm but storming inside. "Judging by the look on your face, you don't bring me very good news."

Mike took a deep breath as he sat down across from Harvey and carefully placed the file on the table. The title "Otis Agard - Financial Review" on the cover of the file clearly indicated the seriousness and scope of the case.

"Harvey, when I was going through Otis' estate papers... I found some things... and they're a lot more serious than we thought."

Harvey's expression stiffened for a moment. His brow furrowed slightly and the grey clouds in his eyes intensified.

"What do you mean, Mike? What have you found?" he said, his voice calm but threatening. There was a rising fear in him, mingled with anger.

Mike opened the file and laid the documents in front of him.

Mike opened the file and laid the documents in front of him. "Money laundering, Harvey. I found suspicious transactions in some of Otis's accounts. And the thing is... these accounts still appear to be active."

Harvey stared at Mike in disbelief for a moment. As his eyes travelled over the documents, wave after wave of confusion and anger surged through him. That Otis's name would be associated with such a scandal was something he could never have imagined. But what was worse was that it could jeopardise his own presidential career and his family. Thoughts raced through his brain; if this was true, it could turn into a much bigger crisis.

"Does this mean that even after Otis's death, this is still going on?" Harvey said, his voice growing colder. "Who controls these accounts? Who's involved, Mike?"

Mike nodded, his eyes never leaving Harvey. "That's the problem. We don't know who controls these accounts. Even after Otis' death, the money continued to flow. And that means someone's still after it."

Harvey took a deep breath, rubbing his forehead with his hand as thoughts raced through his mind. This was far more complicated and dangerous than he had realised. Otis's shadow still hung over Harvey even after his death, and it now threatened both his political career and his family.

"We have to clean this up, Mike. This could be disastrous for me and for the legacy."

Mike nodded, speaking with determination. "First we have to trace these accounts. We need to find out who made these transactions, where the money came from and where it went. It may take time, but we have no choice. If this goes any further, not only Otis' name will be tarnished, but yours as well."

Harvey paused for a moment as he tried to digest what Mike had said. This was his first big test as president and he had to come out victorious. Taking control of his anger, he spoke calmly but firmly.

"We must do this quickly and quietly. Before anyone hears, before anyone understands. Can you do that, Mike?"

A light flashed in Mike's eyes. "Yeah, I can do it. But I need you to do it, Harvey. If this gets big, that's the biggest leverage they're going to use against you."

Harvey looked deeply into Mike's eyes and shook his head slightly. There was no way he was going to let this escalate. "Then get started right away. Do whatever you have to do. Get to the bottom of this and find me who's involved. We got two days, Mike. We have to get to the bottom of this before we set foot in the White House."

Harvey leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. He glanced through the files scattered on his desk. A money laundering scandal with Otis's name attached to it threatened Harvey's family and political career above all else. This mess, which had to be resolved before he stepped foot in the White House, was a challenge to the limits of a president's power.

He closed his eyes and tried to recognise Otis's face. A strong, decisive man, always in control... Harvey had always admired him, mixed with a kind of hatred. He had never really got along with him, but Otis's influence and political power had taken Harvey to the top of America. And now, Harvey was paying the price for inheriting his legacy. Deep down, he couldn't help but think that all the plans Otis had once had for him were really a trap.

Two days later, he would begin his first day in the Oval Office. He would enter Washington, the White House, with his name engraved in the history books, and he would become one of the most powerful men in the world. But with power always came great responsibility and danger. To be labelled as part of Otis's dark deeds was to sully his own name and legacy. Harvey would do his best to dispel this dark cloud.

For a moment, he leaned over his desk and clasped his hands together. In his mind, he tried to strategise how he could get out of this situation. He had to pursue this and get to the bottom of it. He had to find out who or whoever had carried on after Otis's death, expose who they were, and prevent this scandal from spreading any further. This was his first big battle as president.

Suddenly he stood up and began to walk around the room. Each step reflected the rhythm of the storm raging inside him. His hands in his pockets, his face hard and thoughtful. The room filled with Harvey's heavy breathing, each breath a decision, each step a strategy. A plan was beginning to take shape in his head, but he had to make the right moves for it to succeed.

He was trying to weigh how to react to this unexpected situation. Any resentment she had harboured towards Otis had now grown even more. If this was true, Otis was causing him trouble even in death.

"Who knows about this?" Harvey asked, his voice now sharp and threatening. Mike had expected Harvey to get this hard, but the seriousness of the matter was too great for both of them.

"For now, only you and I know. But the more we dig into this, the more people will find out," Mike said. "And if we don't trace this money, we won't know who we're dealing with. It could affect your safety and Paula's."

Harvey's face darkened even more. This was a danger not only to him, but to Paula as well. Their relationship was already strained enough; now there was this problem. For a moment, he felt helpless, but he quickly recovered. This was Harvey Specter. No problem could defeat him. He fixed his eyes on Mike again.

"Don't tell anyone about this, Mike," he said, his voice low but determined. "We'll clean this up before anyone finds out. If anybody's involved, we'll get to the bottom of it."

Mike saw Harvey's determination and sternness and nodded. "This is going to be a big job, Harvey. If these accounts are still active, the person or people who did this won't stop."

"If they won't stop, we won't stop, Mike. You'll drop all your cases if you have to, I'm willing to give you five times the money you'll make on those cases, I just want you to focus on this."

The air in the room was thick with the weight of this complex and dangerous situation. He realised the importance of the steps he had to take to protect his presidential career and the future of his family. Every detail, every legal move, would play a critical role in resolving this complex situation.

Mike appreciated Harvey taking such a detailed approach, saying, "First, we need to trace Otis's account activity. We need to understand where this money is going, who it's connected to. Also, resolving this within the legal framework is critical to minimising the damage. We have to take every step carefully and avoid even the smallest mistake."

As Harvey listened carefully to Mike's words, a determination appeared in his eyes. In this difficult situation, he had to stay calm, take the right steps and keep everything under control. As president of the United States, he could not afford to make any mistakes. This could have sparked not only a personal crisis but also a national scandal.

"Okay, Mike," Harvey said, taking a deep breath. "We've got to pull this off. We're going to plan everything down to the last detail and we're going to get through this crisis. This is not only about my future, but the future of our country and my family."

Mike nodded his head in agreement with Harvey's words. "Yes, Harvey. We're going to do everything we can to make this the best it can be. We will take every step carefully and use all our resources."

Harvey relaxed a little with the confidence he got from Mike's words. However, this relief was temporary. He had a huge puzzle to solve, and every piece of that puzzle directly affected his presidential career and the future of his family. Harvey Specter, as always, would do everything in his power to meet this challenge and fight to disperse these dark clouds. This was not only a presidential issue, but also a struggle for existence.

"We must also prepare detailed reports on the large sums involved in the accounts and suspicious transactions. These reports could form the basis for possible charges and investigations," Harvey said, and Mike nodded in agreement.

"Absolutely. The first step is the 'due diligence' process. This involves collecting all the documentation on Otis' financial history and performing an analytical assessment. In particular, we need to review reports such as SARs ('suspicious activity reports') and CTRs ('currency transaction reports'). We should also review any financial institutions or intermediaries supporting these transactions."

Harvey paused.

"We may face regulatory scrutiny. We also need to avoid leaking privileged information in the process. We need to have confidentiality agreements. And we need to implement information security protocols."

Mike was relieved to see Harvey's determined demeanour. "Yes, Harvey. This process will be challenging, but if we move forward with this plan, we can successfully navigate this crisis. We must be careful every step of the way and strictly adhere to legal procedures."

After creating this critical plan, Harvey and Mike reaffirmed their determination to meet the challenges ahead. In managing this crisis, they took on the responsibility to proceed with caution, recognising the complexity and detail of the legal processes in Washington. Harvey knew that this period of uncertainty could affect not only his own career, but also the future of his country. Therefore, he would take every step with care and make every effort to make the best out of this crisis.

Harvey's phone screen interrupted the flow of everything. It was Donna. The number flashed on the phone screen, like a harbinger of disaster. Harvey's gaze focussed on the number, a brief mist appearing in his eyes. Mike's gaze recognised Harvey's sudden distraction, but he said nothing and just waited. Harvey left the room with heavy steps, feeling that he had to leave Mike's side.

By the time Harvey left the room, the sky had darkened and the silence of the night was thick. His dark suit, combined with the cold wind moving through the city streets, was slowly pulling Harvey towards him. Donna's name flashed on the phone screen, but behind it lay a feverish anxiety, a deep worry, and perhaps an unresolved longing.

Harvey headed for a far corner where he could be alone for the phone call. The poorly lit corner reflected his inner darkness. As he put the phone to his ear, he took a deep breath and waited for Donna's voice. With each step, the guilt and tension inside him intensified a little more.

"Hello," Harvey said, his voice shaky but carefully controlled. Donna's voice echoed on the other end of the phone, a little worried but reassuring at the same time.

"Harvey," Donna said, her voice sounding as if something was breaking in her heart. "He knows. Mike knows."

Harvey paused, not understanding how Donna knew that, paused for a moment and spoke again.

"How did you know that?"

Donna felt her uncertainty and anxiety grow as she heard Harvey's strong yet fragile voice in front of her.

"I was with my lawyer, I ran into Mike, he was insinuating, he knows about us. You need to get him off the case."

Harvey sighed, he needed Mike right now and taking him off the case would drive Harvey over the edge.

"I can't, Donna, he won't talk, we made a deal."

Harvey's calmness infuriated Donna.

"What? How can you be so stupid?! He's a lawyer, Harvey, he wants you for your money, not your mate! Take him off the case right now."

"I'm not gonna do that, Donna, end of discussion. I've got other things going on right now, I need Mike on my side. It's only to my disadvantage to get a new lawyer and start all over again, and it's better to keep him close." Harvey paused and looked around the house, it looked like anyone and everyone could come in.

"Look, I'll tell you all about it as soon as I can, but the short of it is that Otis' case has hit a snag, and I need to sort it out in two days. Don't worry, Mike damn will keep his mouth shut."

Donna was silent for a few seconds, she knew that now that Harvey was president, he was going to be busier than ever, so she tried to understand him, even if it was difficult, but the explanation didn't reassure her.

"Okay, but that doesn't mean we won't talk about it again, we have a lot to talk about," he said unconvinced. "I miss you."

Harvey let out the breath he'd been holding and closed his eyes, just hearing Donna's voice distracting him from this stressful life.

"I miss you too, a lot. Just be patient, everything will be all right soon."

Mr President had never been so wrong...