The thing about Julian Cross was that he didn't make noise when he won.
There were no slammed doors, no celebratory drinks, no victory speeches echoing down the hall. He filed motions early. He anticipated objections before they were raised. By the time opposing counsel realized they were in trouble, the judge had already moved on.
Harvey noticed by Wednesday.
"You've won three hearings this week," Harvey said, leaning against Julian's doorframe. "Quietly."
Julian didn't look up. "That's the goal."
"That's not how this firm usually does things."
Julian finally glanced at him. "Is it a problem?"
Harvey hesitated. "It's… unsettling."
The call came that afternoon.
Julian stepped into an empty conference room and shut the door.
"Cross," he said.
"Julian," the voice replied. Familiar. Calm. "Didn't think you'd pick up."
"I don't screen old colleagues," Julian said.
A pause. "Pearson Specter, huh?"
"Yes."
"Interesting choice."
Julian leaned against the table. "Is there a point to this call?"
A chuckle. "You turned down Halverson Industries."
"I did."
"They were surprised."
"So was I," Julian replied evenly.
Another pause. Longer this time. "You're being watched."
Julian said nothing.
"Not officially," the voice added. "Just… curiosity."
"I'm flattered."
The line went dead.
At lunch, Julian and Dana tried—again—to coordinate schedules.
"Three o'clock," Dana said, scrolling through her phone. "I have a window."
Julian checked his calendar. "I don't."
"You do," she replied. "Donna moved it."
Julian sighed. "She did not."
Donna appeared immediately. "I absolutely did."
Dana smiled. "You're terrifying."
"I manage chaos," Donna said. "Including yours."
They ate together anyway. Ten minutes. Standing. Comfortable silence.
Harvey watched from afar. "They're disgusting."
Mike nodded. "Inspiring."
Later, Harvey pulled Julian aside.
"People don't like variables," Harvey said quietly. "You're one."
Julian considered that. "So?"
"So they push."
Julian met his gaze. "Then they'll have to push harder."
Harvey smirked. "You're not wrong. You're just annoying."
Louis cornered Julian near the printer.
"I mapped it out," Louis said, holding a tablet full of overlapping case names. "Your DOJ cases align with three of our current clients."
Julian glanced once. "They don't."
Louis frowned. "I color-coded—"
"You missed the dates," Julian interrupted. "Two of those cases closed before I transferred divisions."
Louis blinked. "Oh."
He stared at the tablet. "I'll… redo it."
Jessica got the call just before five.
Julian didn't hear it. He only saw her expression change.
She looked through the glass at him, thoughtful. Measuring.
Donna appeared beside her. "Problem?"
Jessica didn't answer immediately. "No."
Then, after a beat, "Not yet."
Julian packed up as the office emptied, Dana waiting by the elevator.
"You okay?" she asked.
"Yes," he said. "Are you?"
She smiled. "Always."
As the doors closed, Julian caught his reflection in the mirrored wall.
He looked calm.
But somewhere beyond Pearson Specter, someone was taking notes.
And this wasn't going to stay small.
END OF CHAPTER
Author's Comment:
The pressure arc begins here—quiet observation, subtle callbacks to Julian's DOJ past, and the firm starting to feel his unpredictability. The romance stays steady and grounded while outside forces inch closer. Next up: the first real test of loyalty.