The dazzling lights, the hundreds of people gathered in celebration, the excited throng of the press... all of it suddenly collided with the cold, inescapable harshness of reality. Harvey's presidential triumph seemed momentarily halted. The sobs echoing down the hospital corridor, the hurried murmurs of the telephones, people rushing left and right... The night of the victory turned into a nightmare.

It all became a blur. Harvey's eyes stared into space, Otis's last moments echoing in his mind. The meaning of this victory was shattered by this loss.

The news of Otis's death soon filtered through the media. There was a flurry of activity in the newsrooms as editors prepared breaking news stories. Headlines such as "The New President's Victory and Great Loss", "Harvey's Difficult Night: Victory and Death Together" began to appear on the screens and in the headlines. While the media was trying to process this news from different angles, it was creating a mournful atmosphere for America's new president. Otis' death was seen not only as a family tragedy, but also as the first major test facing the leader of a nation.

The public had begun to question Harvey's leadership on the morning of his victory. "Would he be a president in Otis's shadow, or would he turn this painful loss into a source of strength? " As these questions echoed in the media and among the public, it became clear that Harvey would be under enormous pressure from the very first days of his presidency.

The night Harvey won the United States presidential election was sure to be remembered as a turning point that would be etched in the nation's memory.

Even before the road to the White House was paved, the story of this victory and loss began to take shape in the headlines. The national media formed a circle of speculation around this tragic news; rumours, gossip and conjecture spread rapidly.

Television screens, news bulletins, newspapers and social media began to interpret Otis's death and Harvey's victory in tandem. By early morning, as the nation woke up in shock at the sudden news, media organisations were already mobilising to cover all aspects of the event. A feverish work had begun in the newsrooms, every detail was prepared to be analysed down to the finest detail and presented in the most striking way. Journalists were on the phone to get information from their sources, speculating on who said what and what was going on backstage.

At midnight, television channels interrupted normal broadcasting and switched to continuous live broadcasts under the title "Emergency". Experts, commentators and former politicians from across America were invited to the screens. The studios were transformed into a war headquarters; the commentary on Harvey's victory and Otis's death became a media storm that grew with every second that followed that night. While some saw his death as a result of the extreme stress of the victory, others claimed that Otis had been suffering from health problems for a long time, but that these problems had been hidden from the public

The news of Otis' sudden death brought various conspiracy theories in the first hours. These theories, which spread rapidly on social media, soon began to be discussed among the public and then found a place in the mainstream media. The question "Was Otis' death natural?" echoed in the minds of many journalists and social media users. Some argued that Otis's political power had caused discomfort in some circles, and therefore his death might have been suspicious.

"Victory Night Mystery: Otis's Suspicious Death" and "The Dark Shadow Falling on Harvey's Victory" made headlines. These speculations resonated with the public and grew into a conspiracy theory. Striking questions such as "Is the truth being hidden from the public?", "Did Otis die for Harvey's victory?" aroused doubts in people's minds. The security measures in and around the White House added fuel to the fire of these theories; the question "Was it really an assassination?" began to be asked more loudly.

"Could Harvey Specter have killed Otis Agard?"

𓃭

Harvey opened his eyes in a heavy darkness. A heaviness rising from the depths of his heart had settled in his chest, making it difficult for him to breathe. Waking up was like stepping into another nightmare. He rolled over in bed, the sheets soaked with sweat. He closed his eyes tightly to avoid remembering Otis' last moments, but the images echoed in his mind. At that moment, the horror, disappointment and finally the dull expression of death on Otis's face... Everything, every detail, stuck in his mind like a knife.

Harvey's heart clenched, he didn't want to wake up to this gloomy morning. But how could he escape? This morning would be one of the most difficult days of his life. Otis's funeral would be filled with heavy mourning and even heavier guilt. He had to face the consequences of the tragedy he had caused with his own hands, but the fear and pain inside him grew with every breath.

He buried his head in the pillow and wished not to wake up for another moment. But he knew that this morning, this moment, every detail of it was waiting for him. It was impossible to stop time, to erase the past. Otis's angry glare, that moment when he collapsed, Donna's scream... All of these things haunted him like a curse, swirling in his mind.

Harvey sat on the edge of the bed. He clasped his hands over his face, feeling his warm breath through his fingers. The gloom of this morning was like a poison that weakened his soul. For a moment, he wanted to leave everything behind; the presidency, the power, the reputation - all of it was worthless now. One moment, one mistake, had destroyed everything in his life.

This morning, he had to rise with the burden of that bitter truth. He had to prepare for Otis's funeral, as president, as a family member, and most painfully, as a criminal.

Slowly he rose to his feet. He switched on the lamp beside the bed; the pale yellow light dispelled some of the darkness of the room. The shadows around the room dissipated like a vapourous mist, but the shadows in his mind were still there. He rubbed his eyes and brushed back the hair that had fallen over his face.

He took heavy steps towards the bathroom. With each step, it was as if the shackles on his feet were getting heavier. He opened the door, the cold air inside hit his face. He was afraid to look at the mirror in the bathroom, because the face he would see there no longer seemed to belong to him, he had to face his own reflection.

Harvey stood in front of the mirror, his eyes were bloodshot, the scars of sleepless nights were deep in his face. His pale skin reflected the emptiness inside him. The dark circles under his eyes further emphasised the heaviness of this morning. He brought his hand to his face and felt the coldness of his skin. Somewhere inside him, he still wanted to find traces of that strong, determined man. But what he saw in the mirror was a tired, broken and guilty man.

He leaned against the edge of the sink, forgetting to breathe for a moment. Thoughts echoed in his mind, each one building on the last. Otis' disappointment, his desperation in his last moment... Harvey was crushed under the weight of what he had to face this morning.

Harvey didn't know how he was going to cope with the burden of this morning. The pain in Paula's eyes was a reflection of his guilt. That memory deepened Paula's pain at her father's death and the wound of her own betrayal. The moment Otis had his heart attack had opened a wound inside Harvey.

Paula wasn't well, Otis's death had kind of killed her.

Paula had always deeply felt the lack of light, but with the death of her father, this darkness had receded like a void. The echo of the storms that had been churning in her inner world since she was a little girl grew bigger every day, and she had spent a quarter of a century of her life in a collapsed darkness. The dark shadows of depression had shaped her worldview of loneliness; the cold, metallic effects of medication had always tried to be a light in the dark corners of her soul. But now, with her father's death, those lights had been extinguished and darkness had taken over her entire living space.

Paula's eyes, after her father's death, turned into a deep emptiness, her pupils glowed like an extinguished fire. The darkness that hovered over her like a thin cloud settled down and made her every movement heavy. Each step seemed almost like a slow walk; each step carried the weight of disappointment. The pain in her heart grew deeper and more intense than any words or expressions could describe.

Paula wandered around the house like a ghost; her every movement seemed to blend into every corner of the space, as if it were cold and lonely. Her eyes were filled with a deep emptiness, detached from the flow of time. She avoided conversation and interaction.

Every day, Harvey struggled against Paula's silence. As he walked around her, he accompanied her like a shadow. He spoke against an emptiness that disappeared into the depths of Paula's eyes. But Paula had shut herself off completely, thickened her walls even more. Harvey's words were lost in the void and had no effect on Paula's dark world.

Harvey's efforts were not enough to illuminate Paula's inner darkness. As he tried to be there for her, he felt more and more despair every day. Paula's self-enclosure seemed to be a kind of self-protection mechanism; but this protection only deepened her inner loneliness and emptiness. All of Harvey's good intentions and supportive efforts could not go beyond echoes in Paula's closed world.

Every day, when he came to Paula, Harvey was left alone with her ghost-like state. Paula's self-enclosure was a reflection of the pain and darkness inside her. Harvey's presence could not go beyond Paula's walls; the emptiness inside her was getting deeper every day, blowing around Paula like a wind of sadness.

After Otis' death, Harvey tried to suppress his own inner turmoil while trying to endure Paula's pain and silence. However, this situation weakened his nerves and shook the foundations of their relationship.

Paula's coldness echoed in Harvey's soul like a scream. The time he spent in the house every day had become a kind of punishment for him. Harvey tried hard to cope with Paula's behaviour, but every effort was further humiliated by Paula's cold demeanour.

Paula's seemingly otherworldly state exhausted Harvey's patience with her. Every moment, every time he spent with her, was a ball of unhappiness and anger.

Harvey pulled himself together and went back to his bedroom to get dressed. He opened his wardrobe, it had become a burden just thinking about what he should wear today. But today, everything had to be perfect. He had to look strong, at least on the outside, as he said his last goodbye to Otis.

Him stopped for a moment, feeling lost in the clothes. Somewhere inside, he thought Otis' eyes were watching him. Every outfit, every choice, was like a reminder. But in the end, he chose a black suit. The colour reflected the gloom inside him. But it was only a mask, an image he had to show to the outside world. In reality, no clothes could hide the storms raging inside Harvey.

As he tied his tie, he looked in the mirror; the fatigue on his face was like a mirror of his inner world. But this morning he had to hide this image. Otis's funeral was not an end for him, but a new beginning, but this beginning was overshadowed by guilt and pain.

When he got ready and looked out the window, the flashes of the paparazzi hit his eyes. In their eyes, he was a hero, the newly elected president. But Harvey, looking out that window, was a prisoner. Each flash made the guilt growing inside him more apparent. They were watching his outer world, but no one could see the storm raging inside him.

This morning of the funeral had opened the gates of an inner hell for Harvey, dragging him into the depths of a spiritual collapse. Everything was but a mirror reflecting his inner darkness and restlessness. The inner collapse, combined with the chaotic landscape outside, made Harvey's spiritual world even darker and more uncertain. Every step, every movement, every thought made his inner battle and deep guilt more apparent.

His first actions at home were an attempt to organise the chaos in his mind. Harvey first went to Paula to discuss the final preparations for the funeral and related matters. Paula was lying in Otis's room.

Paula sat on the edge of her bed, her hands on her knees, her eyes staring at the wall in deep emptiness. Her eyes bore the scars of a night's sorrow, and she rested with her eyelids tightly closed.

Harvey summoned all the patience in him to cope with her state of mind, but it was wearing thinner by the minute.

When Harvey stepped into the room, he faced Paula with a kind of uncertainty and hesitation. He closed the door gently, but the faint sound of the door closing was like an echo breaking the silence in the room. As Harvey approached Paula, each step made his deep guilt and anxiety more apparent.

"Paula, it's morning," Harvey said, a kind of tiredness and uncertainty in his voice. His tone reflected his sadness and guilt towards Paula, each word intensifying the heavy atmosphere in the room.

Paula slowly raised her eyes, but her gaze was empty and cold.

"Yes." Paula said, her voice a whisper, almost merging into silence. The coldness in her voice made Harvey's guilt all the more apparent. The expression on Paula's face, like a mask, seemed to hide the pain and sadness she felt.

Harvey's voice was low and soft, but there was a kind of fragility in his words. "Today... we have to prepare for the funeral."

Paula didn't even turn her head when she heard his voice. Her eyes were still fixed on the same spot, on a distant part of the wall.

"Yes, I know," Paula said, her voice almost a whisper, but in that whisper there was a deep pain and tiredness. Her voice reached Harvey as she continued to stare unblinkingly at the wall. "But this preparation... what will it change?"

Harvey was silent for a moment at Paula's words. He didn't know what to say, because he knew that no matter what he said, it wouldn't ease the pain.

"It won't change anything," he finally said, his voice deeper and more determined. "But... at least today, we can do what's best for him."

Paula finally took her eyes off the wall and looked at Harvey. There was a deep tiredness and disappointment in his eyes.

"The best for him?" she repeated, her voice almost mocking, but underneath the mockery was a deep sadness. "He's not here anymore, Harvey. No matter what we do, we can't do anything for him."

Harvey knew how true Paula's words were. For a moment the words caught in his throat, but he still felt the need to say something. "Maybe it's true," he said, his voice soft. "But for you... we can do something to help you cope with this pain. Maybe this could be a way of saying goodbye to him."

Paula's expression did not change. She looked at Harvey, but there was no emotion in her eyes. "Goodbye?" she asked, her voice an empty echo. "I never got to say goodbye to him properly, Harvey. I wasn't even there for his at the end. Goodbye? How is that even possible? You were there and you didn't tell me anything, even though I asked you a hundred times!"

Harvey's words stuck in his throat, of course he had lied to Paula. He had told her that Otis had come to see Harvey in the room and that he had collapsed.

Harvey felt a deep sense of guilt at Paula's words. At this point, the enormity of his own actions and mistakes hit him even harder.

"Paula... I don't know how to change this," he said, his voice low and fragile. "But I want to to support you in some way, to ease this pain... maybe it's not possible, but at least together we can try to carry this burden."

Paula looked into Harvey's eyes, but the coldness did not leave her face. "You want to do this, don't you?" she said, her voice calm but distant. "But are you really here, Harvey? Are you here with me, or are you just here because you think you should be?"

Harvey found it difficult to respond to Paula's cold reply. His inner guilt and his attempt to lighten the burden of Paula's pain were reflected in his speech. "I want to support you and the family in the best way possible."

Paula listened to Harvey's words, but her face did not change. "Has anything changed at this point, Harvey?" she said, her voice tired, but there was a deep pain in it.

"I lost my father. My life has been turned upside down. What can you do now? Can you ease the pain? Can you really understand me?"

Harvey felt the weight of Paula's words deeply. He felt helpless because he could find no words to ease Paula's pain.

"I'm trying to understand, Paula," he said, his voice shaky. "But sharing this pain with you... It's the best thing I can do. Paula, I want to talk to you," Harvey said, trying to keep his voice calm, but somewhere inside there was a deep fear and anxiety. "This is a difficult time... and I want to be there for you. What can I do for you, Paula?" he said, his voice carrying a deep desperation.

Paula frowned as she looked at Harvey. There was a deep disappointment and resentment in her eyes. "Really, Harvey?" she asked, her voice full of sarcasm.

"You want to be there for me now? After Dad dies? We're going through this together, Harvey?" she repeated, her voice broken and tired.

Paula looked at him blankly. "Would having you here change anything, Harvey? Would it fill this hole inside me? After my father's death, nothing will ever be the same. Your being here... won't ease the pain."

Harvey couldn't answer Paula's question. The guilt was growing inside him, but he knew it was unfair to put this burden on Paula. "I want to help you, Paula. Just... tell me what to do."

Paula did not respond to these words. She just stared at a corner of the room and sighed deeply. Harvey's helplessness seemed even more distancing to her. She thought that she did not understand his pain, that she could not understand it.

"Dad's gone, Harvey. Nothing matters anymore. Nothing you say or do can ease the pain."

Lost in silence, Harvey felt even more helpless in the face of Paula's emotional coldness. The turmoil inside him was like a whirlpool in his mind. He did not want to leave Paula in this situation, but he did not know how to communicate with her.

Harvey took one last look at Paula. He realised that it was impossible to talk to her, impossible to reach her. The gloomy atmosphere of this morning was building an impenetrable wall between them.

As Harvey was about to leave Paula's room, the door opened slightly. The sudden sound in the silence startled them both. Entering was Claire Anderson, the Presidential Communications Director. Claire looked at Harvey and then Paula with a professional demeanour but with a forced smile on her face. The serious expression on Claire's face intensified the gloom of the morning. Her entrance made the cold atmosphere of the room even harsher.

"Excuse me," Claire said, her voice respectful but firm. "I hate to interrupt, Mrs Specter, but some photographs need to be taken before the funeral. Our presidential team would like you to be in the photographs for the media coverage."

When Paula heard Claire's words, a slight flinch crossed her face. Her mind was filled with the deep pain of her father's death, and now to hear that she had to take part in the photo shoot was almost like a torment for her. Yet, deep down inside, she knew she had to do it to honour her father's memory.

Her eyes shifted to Harvey for a brief moment. Harvey's cold and guilty look this morning only deepened Paula's pain.

When Harvey heard Claire's words, a wave of anger passed through him. It bothered him that such an intrusion into the privacy of this morning, into the pain of this morning. But he knew Claire was trying to do her job; he understood that she had to do the best she could in the process.

"Is it really necessary?" said Harvey.

Claire had expected Harvey's reaction. A slight hesitation crossed his face, but he maintained his professional demeanour.

"I understand, Mr President. But the media is expecting some footage before the funeral. It is important to document these moments in order to project a strong public image. "

Paula felt caught in the middle of this conversation. The responsibility following her father's death was overwhelming her even more. But Claire's words awakened in Paula a sense of responsibility. She felt she had to do whatever it took to honour her father's memory and take a strong stand during this difficult time.

"Okay," she said, her voice almost a whisper. "I'll do whatever it takes."

Harvey was surprised by Paula's reaction. He had not expected her to agree so quickly.

"Paula, are you sure?"

Paula glanced briefly at Harvey, but there was determination in that look. "Yes," she said, in a stronger voice. "I must do this for my father."

Harvey started to walk out of the room, Paula following behind him, when Claire stopped her.

"Oh, and Mrs Specter, the photographs from election night have been printed, I have them with me, I can give them to you if you like."

Paula looked at the white folder in Claire's hand, election night, which should have been Paula's greatest night, had turned out to be her worst nightmare, and now she was holding the last photographs of her father from that night, this was the real goodbye.

Paula nodded gently and took the photographs and paused outside the door to her room and summoned all her courage to open the envelope.

These photographs were documents of a moment of triumph, of history being made, but they also carried a strange uneasiness of that night.

As she moved through the album, the cold glow of the photographs evoked different memories in Paula's mind. Faces celebrating Harvey's victory, smiling, applauding... The euphoria of those moments echoed only as a void inside Paula. The glow of Harvey's victory was insufficient to illuminate the shadow cast by the loss of her father. But there was something among these photographs that caught Paula's attention. She froze for a moment, her hands pausing on the pages of the album. Her heart quickened, but she did not immediately realise why.

Paula's eyes fell on a photograph of Harvey. He was in the crowd, the euphoria of his presidential victory written all over his face. But the photograph was too familiar and too unfamiliar for Paula to keep her gaze on it. For a moment Harvey was looking at someone outside the crowd - Donna. That look exploded like a spark in Paula's mind, but the spark lasted only a moment. The suspicion that had arisen somewhere inside her was quickly replaced by a suppressed sense of confidence.

However, no matter how hard she tried not to believe it, the look in Harvey's eyes was planted in Paula's mind like a seed. There was something in his gaze, something that belonged to someone else... something that Paula had never seen before, perhaps something she had chosen not to see. Harvey's deep and careful gaze was directed at Donna, as if he wanted to touch her soul with his eyes. Paula tried to close the photograph to get the thought out of her mind, but paused on her hands.

There was a strange warmth, a devotion, even a longing in Harvey's eyes, in this look directed at Donna.

It was not the kind of look Paula was used to.

Not the way Harvey looked at her. Harvey's glances at Paula were usually careful, thoughtful, but distant. But this look was different. There was a kind of intensity, a kind of passion. Paula felt her heart racing and her stomach knotting as she looked at this photograph. The suspicion that arose in her was strong enough to make her forget for a moment even the pain of her father's death.

Deep in her heart, she felt something was wrong.

Paula's eyes began to well up. The pain in her heart stemmed both from the loss of her father and the anguish of these doubts. The absence of her father had left her with an unbearable sense of emptiness; she wanted to cling to Harvey's love, but now she felt that these doubts were pushing her further away

Deep in the back of her mind, she felt that these thoughts were lies. The seeds of doubt had been planted, and no matter how hard Paula tried to ignore them, that look kept returning to her mind. Harvey's look at Donna had created an irreversible change in Paula.

She closed her eyes tightly. She wanted to get rid of these thoughts, but they were as if they were seared into her mind. Her trust in Harvey was slowly cracking under the gaze directed at Donna.

A storm of emotions raged inside Paula, torn between the loneliness of her father's death and the pain of this new discovery. This storm was pulling Paula deep inside, forcing her to confront what she had seen in Harvey's eyes. No matter how much she didn't want to believe it, doubt was gnawing at her. That warmth, that devotion in Harvey's eyes was not her.

𓃭

Harvey entered the large parlour, rubbing his eyes and trying to collect his thoughts. Immediately he realised that there were many people moving about the house, some working quietly, others whispering to each other. At that moment, the one person who had been loyal to Harvey for years and had guided him through everything appeared beside him-Lyle Bronson.

Lyle had been Harvey's most trusted advisor for years, the wise man who organised everything and helped Harvey make the tough decisions when necessary. Harvey always felt safe in Lyle's presence. Lyle knew every detail and left nothing to chance. He was Harvey's shadow genius, a man who calculated everything in advance, skilfully managed political manoeuvres and made ruthless decisions when necessary.

Lyle approached Harvey, calm and controlled as always. The depth in his eyes reflected all the experiences he had lived through and the countless events he had seen. He immediately recognised the tiredness, worry and a hint of guilt on Harvey's face. But Lyle, as always, put his emotions aside and focused on managing the situation.

"Harvey," Lyle said, his voice calm but authoritative. "Everything is under control. The funeral preparations are almost complete. However, there is one problem. We need to speak to a lawyer immediately about Otis's estate."

Harvey paused for a moment when he heard the news. Otis's death was not just a family tragedy; it was also a complex process that required the transfer of a great legacy and power. Harvey trusted Lyle with this, because Lyle was not only a counsellor, but also a strategist. He was the only one who could guide him through all the legal issues surrounding Otis's estate. But there was hesitation on Lyle's face, which worried Harvey.

"Has Quentin arrived?" Harvey asked, trying to hide the tiredness in his voice. For a brief moment, concern flickered across Lyle's face. Quentin Ravenscroft had long been Harvey's personal lawyer. Originally, Harvey had wanted to handle the case himself, but Otis had taught him to get a second opinion and let someone else get his hands dirty for him.

"Unfortunately," Lyle said, "Mr Ravenscroft is out of the country on an emergency. He won't be able to return immediately. So we'll have to get another lawyer."

"Well, who is this lawyer you're recommending? You know I don't work with everyone." Harvey asks in a concerned tone.

"Managing this estate is not just a lawyerly matter, it's a process that requires political and financial oversight."

"I'm aware of the situation, Harvey. But you don't have to worry. I've found a lawyer I trust. He knows all the details of Otis's estate. We need to meet with him right away. If it's okay with you, we can contact this lawyer right away," Lyle said.

"Who is this lawyer? Tell me a little about him."

Lyle smiled. "Mike Ross."

"He works at Calderon & Carter - Equity Empire, C.C & E.E.," Lyle said as they both started walking out of the mansion.

"and he has a lot of experience with this kind of case. Besides, he graduated from Harvard a few years ago, just like you, and he could be a big help to us in this process."

Seeing the look on Harvey's face, Lyle realised that Harvey was sceptical. These reservations about a young lawyer only deepened the lines of concern on Harvey's face.

"Mike Ross? Lyle, no matter how skilled he is, trusting a young lawyer in this situation could be risky. This inheritance brings not only great wealth, but also great responsibility and complexity. Experience is paramount."

"Yes, Harvey. Ross may be young, but his skills and accomplishments are impressive for his age. His successful performance at C.C & E.E. and his Harvard degree show that he is more than capable of handling the job. He has had exceptional success in high-profile cases."

Since joining C.C & E.E., Mike has achieved great success in a short period of time, earning the admiration of both his colleagues and superiors for his outstanding performance in complex cases. His legal analytical skills, ability to resolve difficult situations quickly and effectively, and smart moves quickly made him one of the firm's youngest senior associates. Mike was also a graduate of Harvard Law School, which earned him prestige and respect in the legal community.

However, for Harvey, these achievements were not enough. He was a man who believed that everything comes with experience. He questioned whether Mike was capable of handling such a big case at such a young age. Harvey's thoughts were conflicting; on the one hand, he was impressed by Mike's abilities and accomplishments, but on the other hand, he was troubled by his youth and lack of experience. He wasn't sure if the young lawyer Lyle had recommended could be successful in a matter as complex as Otis's estate.

Lyle recognised Harvey's hesitation, but recommended Mike anyway, because Mike had been working for the last few years at C.C & E.E., one of New York's most prestigious law firms. C.C & E.E. was known as one of the top law firms in the country and was particularly known for high-profile cases. Calderon, a senior partner at the firm, was highly skilled at training young lawyers and guiding them through difficult cases.

Harvey took a deep breath and tried to compose himself. The legal issues surrounding the inheritance were not just a simple transfer of wealth; they involved Otis's companies, his political connections, his financial assets, and the responsibilities that came with them. Harvey had to ensure the smooth transfer of this inheritance, because it would directly affect his political future. However, having to rely on such a young lawyer was one of Harvey's greatest fears.

Lyle understood Harvey's hesitation, but he also knew how well Mike could do on this case. "Harvey," Lyle said in a calm but firm voice, "Mike may be young, but his skills and intellect are far ahead of most lawyers his age. You should try working with him. Believe me, you won't be disappointed."

"I'd rather find another solution than put such a young lawyer in charge of such a big job. I'm going to insist that Mike Ross not be involved. We'll have to look for an alternative," Harvey said, very confident.

Lyle knew where he stood.

"I understand, Harvey. If you won't accept Mike, we'll have to find another solution quickly. However, in this case, we have to find the quickest solution possible to keep things on track."

After Lyle's speech, Harvey knew that he had a huge burden to bear. Aside from the inheritance issue, Otis' funeral had added to the many problems in Harvey's own life. Lost in his thoughts, Harvey moved slowly through the mansion.

The mansion was shrouded in an intense air of silence and reverence. The heavy curtains on the walls created a traditional funeral atmosphere, and the steps of those walking through the rooms were slow and silent. At that moment, Harvey's eyes recognised Donna's graceful silhouette. Donna had been in the mansion early in the morning, early in the preparations for the funeral.

The elegance and grace of her dress shone in contrast to the gloom of the setting. Harvey struggled with mixed emotions, unable to take his eyes off Donna's beauty and elegance. But he knew that this moment was more dangerous than ever.

Harvey managed to move away from the room and meet Donna's eyes. Donna had caught Harvey's attention, and the loneliness and sadness in her was combined with a desire for crime. Harvey summoned the courage to go to Donna. The current situation in the mansion was full of realisation for both of them; at any moment someone could see them.

Harvey approached Donna and said in a low voice,

"Meet me in the library at the end of the corridor." and without waiting for an answer, he proceeded normally to the library.

The library was an impressive space with a magnificent sense of breadth and depth. The bookshelves in the centre of the room were carefully placed, reaching up to the high ceiling of the room with a forlorn elegance. The shelves were wide and deep, made of dark walnut wood, each decorated with elaborate carvings and filled with dusty volumes bearing the marks of time.

There were a total of eight main shelves in the library. These shelves were arranged around the perimeter of the room, and each one extended from floor to ceiling, emphasising the length of the room. Each shelf, with its depths filled with books, held a rich cultural heritage. The spaces between the shelves formed long, narrow corridors, which visually harmonised with the rows and careful arrangement of the books.

The length of the room was approximately twenty-five metres. It was more than fifteen metres deep, representing a large space for books and antiquities. The high ceilings increased the depth and width of the space, creating an impressive sense of space in every corner of the room. The width and height of the library offered visitors a deep sense of peace and tranquillity in this historic space.

Three minutes later, Donna entered the library, closed the door, turned to Harvey, and when she was sure that no one was around, she kissed and hugged him.

Donna's Eyes reflected an almost closed world, deeply marked by guilt and shame. Otis's funeral was like a monument reminding her of the tragic consequences of their forbidden relationship. Each memory, each glance, showed the depth of her inner conflicts and guilt. The sadness she saw in the eyes of those attending the funeral increased Donna's sense of guilt even more, each glance reminding her of how deep the scars of these crimes, this shameful relationship dynamic had left.

The sad silence that echoed through the walls of the funeral home further increased the feelings of guilt that reached the deepest corners of Harvey and Donna's souls. The way they looked at each other bore the sharp traces of guilt and regret between them, every word, every action seemed to be a reflection of this deep pain and guilt. Harvey's guilt was growing every moment in the shadow of the events that led to Otis' death. In Donna's eyes, shame and regret appeared like symbols carrying the heavy burden of guilt.

"How's Paula?" said Donna curiously.

"She's seen better days." Harvey said with shame in his voice and ran his hands through his hair. "I don't know what to do, I try to be there for her, I try to ease her pain, but she pushes me away. She's like a ghost without a soul."

Donna's eyes filled with tears.

"We killed his father," she said in a trembling voice, and Harvey quickly shook his head from side to side in denial and grabbed Donna's cold hands.

"No, no, we had nothing to do with it. Yes, we shouldn't have secretly met at the hotel on election night, but we can't be responsible for his heart attack, he wasn't a very healthy man anyway and with his history of drinking, it was a foregone conclusion."

Donna listened carefully to Harvey's words, they were all true, but that didn't stop her from feeling guilty.

Donna's life was shrouded in layers of grief and regret, the ghosts of the past accompanying her every step, every thought. Day after day she found herself in the bosom of the night, in the endless repetition of hours and moments. Each new day turned into another night, adding to the weight of guilt.

The darkness before her was filled with deep pits of inner unrest and guilt. Her eyes, closed on her pillow, replayed all the painful details of the past, each memory deepening her grief. In her dreams, Otis's face and the symbols of guilt haunted her like ghosts, stealing her peace in a constant repetition. At night, these ghosts in her dreams made it impossible for him to wake up and see the light of day.

Although she found a quiet corner for herself from time to time, the emptiness and guilt in her soul were always with her. Every street she walked in the city turned into a mirror reflecting her inner sorrow. Loneliness in the crowd of people covered her like a feather. She felt as if everyone around her could see her guilt and regret, and her loneliness and shame became more apparent with every step.

In an inner solitude, she isolated herself from the world, lost in the labyrinths of her own inner struggles. Sometimes, later in the day, she would dive into old books in her libraries and take refuge in the stories of the past. These books offered her a temporary escape and made her forget his grief and guilt to some extent. However, each page, each sentence was not enough to erase the deep traces of guilt and regret. Even though she was lost between the pages of the books, the burden of the past was burning in her mind like an unquenchable fire.

"I have such a feeling of guilt in the centre of my heart." Donna said as tears rolled down her cheek.

Harvey wiped her tears away.

"It's hard to accept that everything is our fault. Everything we feel guilty about will remain a part of the past."

Donna's eyes reflected the complex emotions of anger and guilt. "But didn't we think of everything at the beginning of this forbidden relationship?"

"Maybe we're responsible for Otis' death. We're to blame for his heart attack. Not only do I blame you, but I blame myself. And maybe there's nothing left but blame." She paused and took a breath and looked Harvey in the eye.

"Or, maybe you're right," she said. "But I feel so lonely and guilty right now, and not being able to pay for everything increases the depth of my guilt every day."

Harvey was crushed under the weight of Donna's words. He felt the same way, but he preferred to hide it, as he always did, because this was not the time or place.

"All I know is we didn't kill Otis, we're not murderers, we're a lot of things, but we're not murderers."

Donna looked into Harvey's eyes for the last time.

"I've got to go, come back as soon as you can, I need you." Donna placed a kiss on Harvey's lips, smeared her venom on him and left the library, Harvey waited there for a few minutes.

Meanwhile, footsteps sounded too close to be coming from outside the corridor. Harvey turned his head quickly to see a man in a suit of above average height and well-balanced build, with straight brown hair, and Harvey gasped.

Whoever this man was, he'd overheard his entire conversation with Donna, which was a disaster. It was apocalyptic.

Harvey looked at Mike, confused and worried.

"Who the hell are you and what the fuck are you doing here?" he asked, his voice full of trembling bitterness.

The arrival of this young man shook Harvey's entire sense of equilibrium. The eager smile in the man's eyes only heightened the panic in Harvey's heart.

As the man stood before Harvey, he bowed his head in a mocking manner

"Ah, I was just reading, I've heard this place has a wide selection of books, I was curious, I thought that's what libraries were for, but I guess this place is more for affairs, explains all the shelves."

Harvey frowned angrily and walked over to the man, closing the door quickly.

"I asked you a fucking question! Who are you?"

The man smiled, took a step back and smiled with both hands in the air to show his innocence.

"Relax man, I'm just teasing, I'm Mike Ross."

Harvey paused, this was the young lawyer Lyle had told him about, the one who had come here even though Harvey had asked him to cancel. Harvey's pupils dilated and his eyes darkened with anger. He clenched his jaw, the panic that gripped his body making him feel like he'd been electrocuted.

"What you've heard is all a misunderstanding, and if you dare to say that, even to your inner voice, I will take your life into my own hands."

Mike, observing Harvey's state of stress and panic, continued in an even more sarcastic tone.

"Oh, my God, Harvey. Relax. I'm not here to witness your hidden secrets, and frankly, I don't care. But honestly, I couldn't help but notice how ridiculous the situation here is. A funeral and your dark plans, what a perfect mess everything is."

Harvey's heart began to race. Mike's threatening gaze and sarcastic words brought his guilt and anxiety to the surface.

"What do you want?" Harvey asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of panic and fear.

Mike smiled.

"I want you to give me the Otis Agard inheritance case."