The Pretender's Gambit

At five in the morning, the sky was still dim, and the streetlights cast long shadows on the law firm's glass door.
I had just put my briefcase down at the front desk when I heard hurried footsteps outside, mixed with a woman's sharp screams.
Where's Archer Jones? Get Archer Jones out here!
I frowned and walked over to see a woman in an off-white trench coat pounding hard on the reception desk.
Behind her followed a middle-aged man and woman, the man clutching a crumpled medical record.
The woman spun around, her face clearly angry, her eyeliner smudged from the upset, giving her a fierce look.
"You're Archer Jones?" She sized me up and down, her tone dripping with contempt. "You take the consultation fee and then just wash your hands of it?"
"My mom got hit by someone, and you can't even give a single explanation!"
I thought back and yes, I did receive her last week.
She said her mother had fallen at the entrance of the vegetable market, and a young man helped her up, but she was adamant that the young man had actually hit her mother.
I explained to her that based on the surveillance footage she provided, it was clearly the elderly woman who lost her footing and fell, and the young man was just kindly helping.
"Sophie Yip," I tried to keep my tone calm, "I already told you last week—the footage is clear. Sean Zimmerman didn't hit your mother; he was acting bravely for a just cause."
"Acting bravely for a just cause?" Sophie Yip sneered coldly, stepped forward, and grabbed my wrist with surprising strength. "You took a bribe from him, didn't you?"
"I don't care about any surveillance footage; he has to pay! Five hundred thousand, not a cent less!"
"You're a lawyer, so you have to help me get it back, or I'll report you to the judicial bureau!"
The middle-aged woman behind her added, "Exactly, Sophie knows big shots. Don't be ungrateful!"
I yanked my wrist free, already seeing a red mark on my skin.
"You need evidence to back up your words. Sean Zimmerman is just a recent graduate; he neither has the ability to hit and run nor the means to bribe me."
"What you're doing is extortion."
"Extortion?" Sophie Yip looked like she'd just heard the funniest joke ever, pulled out her phone, and played a recording.
"Listen to this. This is what you told me last week—you said 'we can try negotiating compensation with the other party,' and now you're calling me an extortionist?"
"I'm telling you, Archer, either you write me a lawyer's letter today, or I'll make your life at work miserable!"
I looked at her unreasonable attitude, and a surge of anger rose inside me.
As a lawyer, I've dealt with plenty of difficult clients, but someone like Sophie Yip—who twists the truth and shamelessly tries to extort someone acting bravely for a just cause—this was a first.
"Sorry, I can't help you." I straightened my back and said firmly, "My duty is to uphold justice, not to help you extort."
"If you insist on going down this path, I suggest Sean Zimmerman report you to the police."
Sophie's face instantly went pale. She pointed at me, speechless for a long moment, then spat harshly, "Fine, you've got guts! Just you wait and see!"
With that, she slammed the door and stormed off with the two middle-aged people. The wind chime at the door rattled loudly, sharp and piercing in the stillness of the early morning.
I stared at the empty doorway, rubbing my sore wrist, fully aware this wouldn't be an easy matter to settle.
After Sophie Yip left, I sat alone in the office, unable to calm my restless mind.
Sean Zimmerman's face flashed in my mind—when he came in last week, his eyes filled with grievance and anxiety, saying he just wanted to help but unexpectedly got entangled in this.
If I don't help him, this young man just starting out could easily be pushed into a dead end by Sophie.
I decided to start by investigating Sophie Yip's background.
I turned on the computer and typed in the name "Sophie Yip," adding keywords like "local city" and "the richest man's wife." Soon, some information popped up.
There were plenty of photos of Sophie attending various events on the page.
She was always linking arms with a middle-aged man, and most headlines read, "The richest man Mason Xavier's wife, Sophie Yip, appears at charity gala."
I frowned. I thought I'd heard the real richest man was Oscar Xavier, but I hadn't really heard of Mason Xavier.

I kept scrolling and found an inconspicuous local forum post titled "Beware of the 'Richest Man's Wife' Scam!"
The post said that last year, a female student accidentally bumped into Sophie Yip at the mall entrance. Sophie claimed her bracelet broke and demanded the student pay fifty thousand dollars. In the end, the student's parents had no choice but to pay up.
There was also a comment saying that last month, a man lightly rear-ended Sophie Yip's car. Sophie not only refused to call the police but claimed she was shocked and demanded the man pay a hundred thousand dollars. Later, the man did some digging and found out that Sophie's so-called "richest man husband" had no real power—she was just using that title to extort money.
My heart sank—it seemed Sophie Yip hadn't done this kind of thing for the first time.
To verify the information, I reached out to a traffic cop friend of mine and asked if he had ever handled an accident involving Sophie Yip.
He told me there had indeed been a rear-end collision last month involving Sophie Yip. At the time, she flat-out insisted the other driver was entirely at fault and even claimed her husband was "Mr. Xavier", warning the police not to interfere. In the end, the other party settled privately, and that was that.
I called the market management office again, hoping to check the surveillance footage from back then.
They said Sophie Yip had already been there yesterday and threatened to smash the office if they showed the footage to anyone else. They said the surveillance had already been "borrowed" by her.
Hearing that, I was even more convinced that Sophie Yip was using the identity of "the richest man's wife" to extort compensation everywhere.
She knew ordinary people were too scared to mess with someone so powerful and wouldn't dare challenge her, which is why she acted so recklessly.
And Sean Zimmerman was just one of her many targets.
I can't let her get away with this.
I took out my phone and called Sean Zimmerman, telling him I'd defend him and that he shouldn't worry. I also asked him to gather everything about what happened to him along with any witnesses' contact info and send it to me.
After hanging up, I stared out the window as the sky brightened and silently vowed to expose Sophie Yip for who she really was, and to clear Sean Zimmerman's name.
Three days later, I got a call from Sean Zimmerman. His voice trembled with tears as he said Sophie Yip had shown up with several bodyguards, causing a scene at his house.
I dropped what I was doing, grabbed my briefcase, and rushed over to Sean's place.
Sean lived in an old apartment complex.
When I got there, quite a few neighbors had gathered outside his door.
Sophie stood at the entrance, hands on her hips, with two tall bodyguards blocking the doorway, not letting anyone inside come out.
Sean's mother was sitting on the ground, clutching her chest, pale-faced, while Sean stood in front of her, arguing with Sophie.
"What exactly do you want? I've already said I didn't hit your mom!" Sean Zimmerman's voice trembled, but he tried to stay composed.
"Didn't hit?" Sophie Yip stepped forward, raising her hand as if to strike Sean. "My mom's still in the hospital—so you're saying you didn't hit her?"
"Today, you either pay up, or I'll make sure these two bodyguards 'take good care' of you!"
Just as her hand was about to hit Sean, I rushed forward and grabbed her wrist.
"Sophie, stop!"
Sophie's eyes flashed with surprise when she saw me, but the look quickly turned fierce again. "Archer Jones? You still dare come here? Looks like you're asking for trouble!"
"I'm Sean Zimmerman's attorney," I pulled Sean behind me, staring coldly at Sophie Yip, "You trespassed on private property and threatened them. That's breaking the law. If you don't leave now, I'll call the police immediately."
"Call the police?" Sophie sneered, nodding toward the bodyguard beside her. "Go ahead, call them. I wanna see if the police actually have the guts to arrest me!"
"My husband is Mason Xavier. Believe it or not, with just one phone call, I can make both you and Sean Zimmerman pay."
"Mason Xavier?" I looked at her and said, "Your so-called 'richest man husband' is nothing more than a scammer living off a fake identity, isn't he?"
"You really think throwing that title around will scare everyone?"
Sophie Yip's face changed instantly; she never expected me to know all this.
She bit her lip and yelled at the bodyguards, "Stop wasting time talking to them. Grab that man—I want to see if she still has the guts to talk back!"

Two bodyguards lunged forward right away. I stepped in front of Sean Zimmerman and his mother, pulling a voice recorder from my bag: "I'm already recording. If any of you try to lay a hand on me, that's intentional assault. When that happens, it won't just be Sophie Yip going to jail—you won't get off either!"
The bodyguard froze and turned to look at Sophie Yip.
Sophie trembled with anger but didn't dare let the bodyguard act.
She glared at me fiercely: "Archer, just you wait. This isn't over!"
With that, she fled in a fluster with the bodyguard.
Neighbors quickly gathered around, comforting Sean Zimmerman and his mother, and praised my courage.
I helped Sean's mother up and brought her inside to rest, then told Sean, "Don't worry, I'll make sure you get justice."
Tears welled up in Sean Zimmerman's eyes as he tightly grasped my hand: "Lawyer Jones, thank you. Without you, I honestly don't know what I would have done."
Looking into his grateful eyes, I felt even more determined to stand up against Sophie Yip.
No matter how powerful the so-called influence behind her may be, I will never back down because I'm a lawyer, and upholding justice is my duty.
After Sophie left, I worried she might come back to cause trouble, so I helped Sean apply for a temporary protection order.
At the same time, I stepped up the investigation into Mason Xavier's true identity.
I got in touch with a business consulting firm through a friend and asked them to help me investigate Mason Xavier's background.
The next day, the consulting firm got back to me. They said Mason is indeed a cousin of the real richest man, Oscar Xavier, but he's just from a distant branch of the Xavier Family with no real power. A few years ago, Oscar kicked him out of the family business for embezzling company funds.
His so-called "company" is basically just a shell now—a front to scam people by pretending to be Oscar Xavier.
With this investigation report in hand, I finally felt assured.
Just then, my phone rang—it was the director of the law firm calling.
The director's tone was heavy: "Archer, did you offend Mason Xavier?"
"He just called me, saying he wants our law firm shut down, and if we don't fire you, he'll use all his connections to crush us."
My heart tightened—I didn't expect Mason Xavier to actually go that far.
"Director, Mason Xavier is a fraud. He's not the richest man at all. I have his investigation report right here. You'll see for yourself." I sent the investigation report to the director.
After reading the report, the director fell silent for a long moment, then said, "Archer, whether he's a fraud or not, our law firm is small—we can't afford to stir up trouble."
"Why don't you just distance yourself from Sean Zimmerman's case for now and stop getting involved?"
I hadn't expected the director to say that, and I felt deeply disappointed.
"Director, I can't do that."
"Sean Zimmerman is innocent. Sophie Yip and Mason Xavier are the ones trying to extort. If I give up now, they'll go on to harm more people."
"As lawyers, we can't abandon justice just because we're afraid of being suppressed."
"But..." The director was about to say more, but I interrupted him. "Director, if you find this too difficult, I can resign."
"But I will see this case through to the very end."
After hanging up, I felt a bit upset, but more than that, I felt determined.
I packed up my things and got ready to leave the law firm.
Just as I was about to reach the door, a man in a suit and gold-rimmed glasses stopped me.
"Are you Archer Jones?" The man sized me up from head to toe, his tone laced with arrogance.
"I am. Who are you?" I looked at him warily.
"I'm Mason Xavier." He smiled, "I heard you've been investigating me? Trying to cause trouble between me and Sophie?"
I hadn't expected Mason Xavier to come find me in person. Calmly, I said, "Mr. Xavier, impersonating the richest man and extorting money with Sophie Yip is illegal. I suggest you stop now and turn yourself in voluntarily; maybe your punishment will be lighter.
The smile disappeared from Mason Xavier's face. He stepped forward and lowered his voice. "Lawyer Jones, I know you're very capable."
"How about this? Forget about Sean Zimmerman's case. Come be my personal assistant—I'll pay you double, and you'll get to enjoy the high life. How's that sound?"

I looked at his ugly face and couldn't help but laugh. "Mason, do you really think I'd stoop to scheme with a scammer like you?"
"You faked being Oscar Xavier to scam money, and you even let Sophie extort innocent people. Do you really think you'll get away with it forever?"
"Listen, I've already gathered all the evidence against you. I'll be handing it over to the police any day now."
Mason Xavier's face went deathly pale as he snarled, "Archer, don't mistake my kindness for weakness!"
"I can make sure you don't survive in this city, and I can make you disappear forever!"
"Are you threatening me?" I stared at him, completely unafraid.
"I've recorded our entire conversation. If you even think about laying a finger on me, I promise the police will have you arrested by tomorrow."
Mason Xavier didn't expect me to be recording him. He trembled with anger but dared not harm me.
He shot me a fierce glare. "Alright, you've got some nerve! Just you wait!"
With that, he stormed off in a fury.
Watching his back as he left, I knew an even bigger storm was coming.
But I'm not afraid, because I truly believe justice will win against evil in the end.
After Mason Xavier left, I organized the recording of his threat along with the evidence I had collected earlier, preparing to hand it over to the police.
Just as I was about to head out, my phone rang—it was an unknown number.
I answered, and a calm male voice came through: "Are you Archer Jones? This is Oscar Xavier."
I was stunned. Oscar Xavier? The real richest man?
Why would he be calling me?
"Mr. Xavier, hello. May I ask what you need from me?"
"I heard you're investigating Mason and Sophie Yip," Oscar Xavier said calmly, "I want to meet and discuss this matter."
I had some doubts in my heart, but I still agreed.
We arranged to meet at a cafe.
When I arrived, Oscar Xavier was already sitting there.
He was dressed in a dark suit, calm and steady in demeanor, with sharp eyes—completely different from Mason Xavier's flashy style.
"Lawyer Jones, please have a seat." Oscar Xavier pointed to the seat across from him, then handed me a cup of coffee.
After I sat down, I got straight to the point: "Mr. Xavier, you called me here about Mason Xavier, right?"
Oscar nodded and sighed, "Mason is my younger brother in the Xavier family. A few years ago, I kicked him out of the company for embezzlement. I never expected him to have the nerve to impersonate me to swindle money—and even let Sophie Yip blackmail people. It's a total disgrace to the Xavier name."
"So, how do you plan to handle this matter?" I asked.
"I already know what he's done," Oscar Xavier's expression turned serious. "I won't cover for him just because he's family."
"I came to you today to join forces, expose his and Sophie Yip's crimes, and seek justice for the victims."
I hadn't expected Oscar to say that, and I let out a relieved sigh.
"Mr. Xavier, I have evidence of Mason Xavier and Sophie Yip extorting Sean Zimmerman, plus proof of other scams they pulled before—recordings and investigation reports included." I handed the evidence to Oscar Xavier.
Oscar examined the evidence carefully, his expression growing darker and darker.
"This is outrageous!" He slammed the table hard. "How dare they so recklessly harm innocent people!"
"Lawyer Jones, I'm counting on you for this. I'll fully support you—whether it's manpower or resources. Whatever you need, I can provide."
Just then, the café door was pushed open, and Mason Xavier and Sophie Yip walked in.
The moment they saw Oscar, their faces instantly went pale.
Mason Xavier stammered, "Oscar, what are you doing here?"
Oscar Xavier glared coldly at him. "Mason, you faked my identity to scam money and teamed up with Sophie Yip to blackmail people. How long do you think you can keep this up?"
Sophie Yip grabbed Mason Xavier's arm, trembling as she said, "Mason, we have to run!"
"Run?" Oscar Xavier stood up, blocking their path. "You still wanna run? I've already called the police. They'll be here any minute."
At the word "police," Mason Xavier and Sophie Yip went weak in the knees with fear.
They dropped to their knees with a thud, crying and begging for mercy, "Oscar, I was wrong, I won't dare to do it again, please spare me this once!"
"Mr. Xavier, I didn't do it on purpose, Mason forced me, please let me go!"

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