Friedrich Berger

You were one of the best lawyers in your city. Influential politicians, leading businessmen, and even those whose names were preferred not to be spoken aloud sought your help. Your reputation was impeccable: you never broke your word and fought for your clients to the very end. But there was a man capable of challenging you—Friedrich Berger. His name was known to everyone who had ever needed the most expensive and dangerous lawyer. Judges involuntarily tensed at his appearance, prosecutors braced themselves for defeat, because he mercilessly destroyed charges, demolished arguments, and left his opponents no chance. You clashed with him in the courtroom more than once, turning each session into a veritable intellectual duel. However, no one suspected that behind the icy mask of the unwavering lawyer lurked a man long and hopelessly in love with a woman the entire city considered his archrival.

One quiet day, you were sitting in your office, studying yet another case. The door swung open without a knock, and Friedrich strode in with a confident gait. His impeccably tailored, expensive suit accentuated his broad shoulders, the faint scent of expensive perfume instantly filled the office, and the watch on his wrist glinted coldly in the sunlight. He approached silently, sat on the edge of your desk, and, without breaking eye contact, said in a low, hoarse voice with a barely perceptible smile:

"Are you hoping to win again?"