Uriel Zander sat in his living room, the weight of case files spread across the table before him on Caden Spears. Every page filled with investigative damning evidence—FBI reports and witness testimonies—mountainous depths of incriminating detail. Charges ran the gamut: drug trafficking, human trafficking, and involvement in a multi-state criminal network. The kind of case that destroyed lives and reputations.

Karen sat opposite him, flipping through a file with a look of deep intensity on her face. She had come right over when Uriel called and since the moment she had started reading the details, her face had darkened with concern.

She waited until she had been silent for a long while before looking at him, an urgent undertone to her voice. "Uriel, you can't take this case. This isn't a high-profile trial—it's suicide."

Uriel sat back in his chair, arms crossed. "I know it's a risk—but it's also an opportunity. An opportunity to start my own firm, to practice law the way I like."

Karen shook her head and closed the file that lay in front of her. "Do you understand what you're up against? The FBI has a 98 percent conviction rate, Uriel. Ninety-eight. This isn't the whole usual case with some local prosecutor who will bring some half-baked charge. They build this thing over the years, and they're going to come after Caden Spears with everything. You can't just stroll into court and expect to tear this apart."

For a moment, Uriel said nothing. He listened to her words and knew she was right; this was far from anything he had ever faced. The FBI didn't touch cases unless they were airtight. But the fire inside him, the itch to prove himself, burned too bright to turn his back on.

"I hear you," Uriel said, his voice slow. "But that is just the point. It's the very reason I need to do this. Nobody thinks I can win. Everybody thinks the FBI can't be beaten. But if I can take this case, if I can win, then I can finally be the lawyer I want to be. On my own terms."

Karen stared back at him, concerned. "Uriel, this isn't about winning a case here. You lose, and this could ruin your career. You'll be the lawyer who got crushed by the FBI in one of the biggest trials of the decade. Do you really want that?"

Uriel met her gaze evenly. "I know the risks. But I'm tired of playing it safe. Two years I've spent winning cases that no one thought I could win, and I did because I don't back away from a fight. This is the fight I've been waiting for. This case will define me."

Karen let loose a sigh, reclining backward in her chair. "And if you lose?"

"Then I'll deal with it," Uriel said, with finality in his voice. "But I'm not running away from this. Never have, never am."

There was an extended period of silence between them, tension thick in the air. Karen knew that Uriel was stubborn, but she also knew he never would have made the decision so lightly.

Finally, her head nodded, softening. "Alright. If you're going to do this, I'm with you. But we're going to need a solid strategy. The FBI isn't going to let you pick apart their case without a fight."

Uriel almost smiled, feeling relieved with her support. "Thanks, Karen. I knew I could count on you."

It was a media free-for-all the instant word got out that Uriel Zander had signed on to defend Caden Spears. Every major news network, blog, and social media outlet was abuzz with speculation, rumors, and salacious headlines regarding the tech CEO's purported involvement in a sprawling criminal empire.

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"Nx Zen CEO Caden Spears charged with multi-state drug and human trafficking operation—Defense attorney Uriel Zander takes on FBI for first high profile case back!" a headline read.

He could barely step into the city without getting mobbed. The incessant swarm of paparazzi and reporters surrounding him clicked pictures and bombarded him with questions as to why he had decided to represent Spears.

"Mr. Zander! How are you going to defend someone accused of such atrocities?"

"Uriel! You really think you can outsmart the FBI at this?"

Uriel said nothing more, nodding at Karen as they both slid through the crowds of people, getting ready for their first visit with Caden Spears in the detention center.

The detention center visitation area was cold and clinical; walls painted in muted shades of gray dominated the space. Uriel and Karen sat at a small table waiting for Caden Spears to be brought in. The room was mostly empty save for a few guards and a couple of other visitors meeting their own clients.

Caden Spears lurched into the room, flanked by two jail guards, in handcuffs. His once-polished appearance was scrunched, his eyes shadowed with the prolonged use of insomnia. Yet, however befitting the situation was, there was an aura of confidence exuding from his body. He sat opposite Uriel and Karen, his gaze crisp as he sized them up.

"Mr. Spears," Uriel greeted him without fanfare, his voice formal but direct. "I'm Uriel Zander and this is my co-counsel, Karen Foster. If I am not mistaken, you just fired your old legal team?"

Caden nodded, his face a mask of disgust. "They were useless. All they did was sit around and tell me that I didn't stand a chance. They didn't even try to fight the case of the FBI."

Karen leaned forward. "So why us? Why hire a public defender, someone who usually represents people that cannot afford private lawyers, instead of another big-time legal firm?"

Caden smirked, but it didn't reach his eyes. "I've been following you, Zander. You take on impossible cases and win. I need someone who isn't afraid to go up against the FBI. I need someone who can think out of the box, someone who isn't afraid to get creative."

Uriel did not bat an eyelid; his gaze did not stray. "Let me be frank with you, Mr. Spears. This case is bigger than any I have ever undertaken. The FBI has been building this case for years, and they hardly lose any. But if you want to fight, I will give you a fight. Just understand that we are going to face the cream of legal men posing for the government."

The smirk fell from Caden's face as his voice went low, serious. "I don't care what the size of the odds is; I'm innocent, and I am not going down for anything I didn't do. Whatever it will take to get me out, I will pay."

Uriel gave a quick glance over to Karen before he turned back to Caden. "Alright. If we're going to do this, I need full transparency. I gotta know everything—every detail about your business, your personal life, and anyone you've been involved with. You lie to me, you hold anything back, we won't stand a chance."

Caden nodded, his jaw tight. "You'll have all you need."

Karen took a deep breath. She still looked somewhat apprehensive regarding the case's magnitude. "We are going to need access to all of the files that your previous legal team had. We will have to know the evidence that the FBI has and how they plan to use them against you."

"I'll ensure the lot is delivered unto you; just get me out of here," Caden said.

Uriel rose, extending a hand to Caden. "We'll do all we can. But understand this—we are going to war. And it will not be easy."

Caden shook his hand hard, his eyes unyielding. "I know. But I didn't hire you because I wanted easy. I hired you because I wanted to win."

As they exited the detention center, Uriel could feel the enormity of the task ahead settle into his bones. This wasn't just another case. This was the battle of his career, against the FBI, a team of seasoned federal prosecutors with an ironclad track record of jurisprudence.

Riding back to Uriel's apartment, Karen turned to him with her voice now soft but firm. "You sure you're ready for this?"

Uriel didn't even flinch. "I have never been readier."

Karen smiled, but a shadow of fear skittered into her eyes. "Well, then, let's make certain we do everything humanly possible to win. No mistakes, no missteps. To beat the FBI, we have to be perfect."

Uriel nodded, his face set in determination. He had taken on the impossible before, but this was more important, bigger than anything he'd ever faced.

But to Uriel Zander, the greater the challenge, the sweeter the victory.