The sun was just breaking over New York City and casting a soft glow upon the skyline. Uriel Zander riffled through his phone; he hadn't slept much after what had been a whirlwind—the trial. The weight of the victory still hung in the air, but something different was there now—something more tangible. And then, as Uriel opened his phone, it buzzed with a notification—the most eventual surprise one could have asked for. Uriel opened his banking app, and his eyes almost blossomed in disbelief.

Account Balance: $14,009,244.

The $4 million from Caden Spears' wife was anticipated, part of the deal they had struck for Uriel to represent him. But the extra $10 million? That was a surprise.

A note accompanying the transaction said: For all that you have done. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. —Mia Spears.

Uriel stared, his eyes wide with incredulity, at the screen. He knew Mia had made it clear enough that she was glad he had saved Caden, but he certainly hadn't expected anything like this: a small fortune, more than enough to unlock doors for Uriel that he'd only dreamed existed.

He leaned back in his chair; his mind was racing. He finally had the money to make that move he had been putting off for years. It was time to open his own law firm, his way, his terms.

Later in the morning, when Uriel was gearing up to leave the cramped 400-square-foot apartment yet again, what felt like the hundredth time, his phone buzzed. This time it was Caden.

"Uriel," Caden's voice came firm across the phone but laced with the weight of all they had been through. "I know you're moving forward with your new firm, but I wanted to let you know I've hired extra security—for both me and you. I just can't shake this feeling that the organization isn't done with us yet."

Uriel frowned. "Caden, that isn't necessary. I'm perfectly capable of taking care of myself."

"Don't be stubborn, Zander," Caden cut in. "You were attacked once already, and if they come after you again, you might not be so lucky. I have assigned a security team to watch over your apartment and wherever you move next. I owe you that much."

Uriel hesitated, knowing Caden was right. "Fine. But tell them to keep a low profile."

"Of course," was all Caden could say. "Just stay safe, Uriel. I owe it all to you."

Uriel had hung up the phone, this strange sense of relief washing over him, mixed with tension. His mind was already racing to what he should do next. The trial was finally over; it was now time to take matters into his hands as far as his future was concerned.

In weeks, the small, overpriced apartment was behind Uriel. The space had served its purpose, but it had always been only a temporary solution. Now, with $14 million in his account and a growing reputation as one of the city's most brilliant attorneys, Uriel moved into a much larger property—a stately building that would serve both as his home and the headquarters for his new law firm.

It was as far from that old apartment as one could get: spacious, elegant, and fitted out with all the equipment necessary for the running of a top-flight legal practice. It was like the culmination of years of hard work and impossible victories. It was more than a house or an office, a symbol of everything he had built.

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Standing in the middle of the main floor, Uriel looked around at the space and couldn't help but feel a little satisfied. His vision was finally coming together.

The firm was going to be different; this wasn't just going to be another law office. It was going to be a place where justice was fought relentlessly, where impossible cases became winnable—someone who would join in his fight for what he truly believed in. And Uriel knew exactly whom he wanted by his side.

A week later, the great conference room of Uriel's new firm was electric. Along the walls, flavored cutting-edge art; furniture—minimalist yet refined. The air felt heavy with ambition.

Uriel stood at the head of the table, his eyes running over the faces of those in whom he had placed his trust.

Under the dim light, *Jake Oliver*, his long-time private investigator and ex-cop, leaned back in his chair, arms crossed, his face spread in a knowing grin. Jake had been key to Uriel's success—digging up dirt and uncovering truths nobody else could. Now, he was full-time on Uriel's payroll.

To his left sat Karen Foster, her eyes aglow with excitement. She had been Uriel's right hand through the Spears trial and was now officially joining the firm as his lead counsel. He could not envision running the firm without her.

Next to her, *Leo Ramirez*, the brilliant forensic accountant who had helped them trace the financial web in the Spears case, was also poring over documents for their new clients. Leo's skills in finding hidden financial discrepancies would go on to prove invaluable in future cases at the firm.

Uriel looked around at them, proud with a sense of fulfillment at what had been achieved among them. This was the team that would make his vision come to life.

"We've built something special here," Uriel started, his voice quiet but slick with gravity. "This firm is not only about winning cases; it's about accomplishing the impossible. People are going to come because they know we don't back down, and on the back of that trial, we already have new clients lining up."

Jake chuckled. "I'm just glad to finally have an office that isn't a back alley or a rundown apartment."

Karen grinned, leaning forward as she asked, "So, what's our first big case?"

Uriel smiled dryly now, already sensing the momentum building. "We'll talk strategy later. But trust me, there's no shortage of people looking for a fight."

Leo leaned back in his chair, looking up from his papers to nod. "This is going to be big; I can feel it."

Uriel regarded his team wordlessly, knowing full well the future was filled with pitfalls—but also promise.

The city was still abuzz with the news of the Spears trial, with Uriel's name fast becoming synonymous with legal brilliance. A panel of legal experts gathered on one of the big news stations, chewing over the trial impact and what it would mean for the future of Uriel.

"Alright, let's talk about what just happened," the anchor began. "Uriel Zander, age twenty-seven, just took on the FBI, tore apart their case, and walked away with an acquittal for Caden Spears. How in the world did he pull it off?"

Greg Hamilton, the veteran defense attorney, was beaming with admiration. "Zander is a prodigy; no question about it. He saw weaknesses in the prosecution's case that no one else would have noticed. His ability to shift the narrative—especially after that video footage dropped—was remarkable. He's the kind of lawyer that makes you question everything you think you know about the law."

Linda Monroe, former prosecutor, nodded. "What's impressive is how Zander plays the long game. In come overwhelming resources from the FBI, and he still manages to poke holes in their case. And now with his new law firm, clients are going to be lining up at his door wanting that kind of defense only he can provide."

The anchor leaned forward, eyes wide with curiosity. "So, what is next for him? Do you think Zander will continue to take on these impossible cases?"

Greg smiled. "Oh, I'm sure of it. He's not the type to take easy victories. And if I had to guess, his biggest challenges are still ahead of him."

Back at his new office, Uriel stood at the large window that overlooked the city. The trial was behind him now, but already the future had shaped up right before his eyes. His phone rang non-stop with new client requests, legal inquiries, and people offering services from all over the country. He had built something special, and this was only the start.

As Uriel looked out over the city, he allowed himself a moment of satisfaction. It was a firm now, up and running; he had his team in place, and with every new case coming their way, they would continue to prove that impossible wasn't a barrier—it was a challenge.