Third Person POV:

Flashback, October 2017(Y/N's age: 18)

Manhattan, New York

Y/N found himself navigating a turbulent emotional landscape. Despite his academic success and prestigious enrollment at Harvard, he grappled with a pervasive sense of loneliness and emotional disconnect.

Harvey and Donna, still separated and consumed by demanding work schedules, struggled to provide the attention and support Y/N needed during this vulnerable time in his life. Compounded by Harvey's romantic involvement with his former therapist, Paula Agard, Y/N felt increasingly isolated and overlooked within his own family dynamic

Back in New York, Y/N found solace and companionship in his unwavering friendship with Liam, who had accompanied him from Harvard during their days off. The two friends, inseparable and steadfast, navigated the streets of New York together, finding refuge and camaraderie in each other's company

During this phase of his life, Y/N, grappling with personal challenges, embraced a more hedonistic lifestyle during his time at Harvard. Immersed in the vibrant social scene, he became a hustler, navigating through a series of flings and casual relationships. The college atmosphere provided a backdrop for his exploration of various experiences, both socially and recreationally

Right now, Y/N was calling Mike, who was working at the prison case

Y/N: Hey, Mike. How's it going with the prison case?

Mike: Hey, Y/N. It's been intense. We're knee-deep in the legal battle, but we're making progress.

Y/N: That's good to hear. Any major developments?

Mike: Not really...

Y/N: Listen, I'm back in town for a few days. Can we meet?

Mike: I'd love to, Y/N. But the thing is...I'm totally swamped with this case...and I shouldn't even be talking about this, because if your dad finds out-

Y/N: My parents don't know I'm back, Mike. And I'm not a snitch, by the way.

Mike sighs from his end

Mike: Fine. Meet me in the clinic.

With that, they hang up, and Y/N starts making his way to the clinic

At the clinic, Y/N walks in to find Mike hunched over his desk, engrossed in a case file. The room smells faintly of legal documents and antiseptic

Y/N: I may be miles away from home all the time, but I know what you're doing right now is trouble.

Mike looks up at Y/N

Y/N: Does Rachel know what you've been up to?

Mike hesitates for a moment, his expression conflicted.

Mike: No, she doesn't. And I'd prefer to keep it that way, at least for now.

Y/N narrows his eyes, sensing there's more to the story.

Y/N: Mike, you know how important honesty is in relationships. Keeping secrets like this... it's not fair to her.

Mike lets out a heavy sigh, running a hand through his hair in frustration.

Mike: I know, Y/N. But I can't risk dragging her into this mess. Not when there's so much at stake.

Y/N nods understandingly, though he can't help but feel uneasy about the situation.

Y/N: Just promise me you'll tread carefully, Mike. 

Mike: I will. Thanks for looking out for me, Y/N. And why didn't you warn your parents you were coming back?

Y/N: Why should I? They wouldn't have time for me anyway. Dad's busy being managing partner and Mom is busy being COO. So I'm not gonna waste my time on it

Mike: Y/N, they're your parents. They might be busy, but they care about you. You should at least let them know you're back in town.

Y/N: It's not that simple, Mike. You know how things have been between us lately.

Mike: Take it from someone who lived their whole life without parents...it's not easy. And they care about you...more than you can possibly imagine.

Y/N sighs

Y/N: I'll talk to them...once you tell me what you're up to.

Mike took on a pro bono case involving the wrongful death of a prisoner. However, he soon discovered a conflict of interest as the parent company responsible for building and running the prison happened to be one of Alex's clients. This conflict added a layer of complexity to the case, presenting ethical and professional challenges for Mike. After signing an agreement, Mike came back on his word and started working on the case, going behind Harvey's back.

Mike: I'm trying to find some proof that the prison Chris Reyes was in was understaffed by their cheap owners. But I've been over three hours looking at these documents and can't find any proof. And I can't subpoena their documents, because your father will know about it.

Y/N: What if...someone got you these documents...would you be able to form something with them?

Mike: Are you asking me about obtaining these documents illegally?

Y/N: Well...kinda. You want a win or not?

Mike hesitates, looking conflicted.

Mike: Y/N, I get that you want to help, but breaking the law isn't the way to do it. We need to find a legal solution, even if it takes more time.

Y/N: Mike, I'm talking about an easy in-and-out job. No one will know.

Mike: Y/N, I understand your intentions, but we can't compromise our integrity. If we start bending the rules now, where does it end?

Y/N: You and I both know you have been bending the rules even before we met. Taking the LSATs for other people, being a fake lawyer, you name it. We're not saints...Michael.

Mike: You're right, Y/N. I've made mistakes, and I'm not proud of them. But that doesn't mean we should continue down that path. We have a chance to make things right, to uphold the principles we believe in. I can't risk compromising my integrity any further, especially now that I have something to lose.

Y/N finally gives in

Y/N: Fine...

After a couple of seconds of silence, Mike breaks the ice

Mike: You're gonna be a badass lawyer, Y/N.

Y/N: Thanks...except I don't want to be a lawyer. I wanna be a racer, Mike. And I'm good at it.

Mike: What do you mean? I thought racing was just a hobby for you.

Y/N: Well...it's not. Harvard is actually a plan B for me. My life is racing...and I'm good at it. And I'm gonna make a name for myself 

At the time, Y/N was balancing his life between racing in Formula 3 and studying at Harvard. Surprisingly, while many would assume Harvard to be the more challenging endeavor, for Y/N, it was quite the opposite. Racing demanded intense focus, physical stamina, and mental agility. Qualities that came naturally to him. On the other hand, Harvard, with its academic challenges, felt comparatively easier

In fact, Y/N was planning on pursuing Harvard Business School after completing a few years in law school. This ambitious plan reflected his desire to acquire a diverse skill set and broaden his horizons beyond the confines of a single discipline

In addition to his academic pursuits and racing career, Y/N was deeply involved in boxing and martial arts, particularly karate. Engaging in these physical disciplines provided him with a well-rounded approach to fitness, discipline, and self-defense. Through boxing, he honed his agility, speed, and coordination, while karate instilled in him principles of discipline, focus, and respect

Beyond athletics, Y/N's height might have influenced his presence and demeanor in various social and professional settings. Standing tall at 6'3", he likely commanded attention and respect, projecting an air of confidence and authority that served him well in his endeavors, whether it be on the racetrack, in the classroom, or in his interactions with others

Y/N: I think...Harvard has been the hobby this whole time. The girls, the friends, the parties...the bullshit. It...came way easier than I expected.

Mike: That's nice to hear, Y/N.

Y/N then gets up from his chair

Y/N: Well...I better get going. Good luck on the case...give those chaep prison bastards what they deserve.

Mike: Will do...

...

Present Day

Los Angeles, California

McKernon Motors Offices

Sarah Mitchell deposition

As the deposition unfolds at the McKernon Motors Offices, Y/N, Liam and Mike sit side by side, focused and attentive. Sarah Mitchell, the woman involved in the gender discrimination suit and party to the embezzlement, sits across from them, her demeanor guarded as she responds to the questions

Mike: Ms. Mitchell, is the purpose of this gender discrimination lawsuit actually a vendetta against our client and take our eye off the fact that you were actually involved with your lover, Charles Cunningham in an embezzlement scandal involving McKernon Motors?

Sarah: That's preposterous! This lawsuit is about seeking justice for the discrimination I faced at McKernon Motors, not some fabricated vendetta.

Hardman, Sarah's lawyer, interjects, his tone sharp as he rises to her defense.

Daniel: Mr. Ross, your accusations are baseless and entirely speculative. My client has categorically denied any involvement in the alleged embezzlement scandal, and your attempts to smear her reputation are both unfounded and reprehensible.

Y/N takes some notes on the paper in front of him

Y/N: Kinda ironic coming from the guy that cheated on his wife racked with cancer and embezzled money from his own firm.

Daniel: Ms. Mitchell knows all about my past. However, I'm not the main topic of this deposition. McKernon Motors terminated her contract in a wrongful manner. Just because Griffin Steinfeld was jealous of her relationship with one of his friends.

Y/N: Bullshit, Griffin is in a relationship right now and he has a little girl.

Daniel: Not at the time when these messages between your CEO and a friend of his were exchanged six years ago...when Mr. Steinfeld was an employee of this company.

Daniel hands some papers to Mike and Y/N containing text messages of Griffin years ago when he admitted having a crush on Sarah and being jealous of how Charles would flirt with her at the time even though he was married

Daniel: So...as you can see, my client had her contract terminated a couple of months ago not because of a scandal, but because Griffin Steinfeld has been holding a grudge.

 Liam, undeterred by Daniel's assertions, stands firm in his conviction, emphasizing the gravity of the allegations against Sarah and her involvement in the embezzlement scandal

Liam: Your client is party to a crime.

Daniel: And you have no proof of that. 

He gets up from his chair and gets ready to leave

Daniel: This deposition is over.

As Daniel leaves, Y/N and Mike exchange a knowing glance

Mike: What do we do now?

Y/N: Easy...we pull an all-nighter and try to tie Sarah into the crimes of Cunningham, then we make her tell us where the money is since Cunningham won't talk.

...

A couple of hours later...

Y/N and Hailee's Villa, Beverly Hills

Arriving at Y/N's villa, the trio unloads the boxes containing the files and evidence related to the case. The spacious living room becomes their makeshift command center, where they will spend the long night ahead poring over documents, emails, and other pertinent information

Liam: Uh...where's Hailee? 

Y/N: She's taking care of some things for her birthday...won't be back for-

Just as Y/N says this, the door opense and in comes Hailee with their dogs

Y/N: Haiz! You're back earlier than I expected. Everything alright?

Hailee: Yeah, just finished up with the birthday preparations. What are you guys doing?

Liam: Corporate work...your man dragged me into this.

Y/N chuckles before introducing Mike to Hailee

Y/N: Haiz, this is Mike...an old friend. Mike, meet Hailee, my girlfriend.

Mike: Pleasure to meet you, Hailee. Heard a lot of good things about you.

Hailee shakes Mike's hand

Hailee: Mike Ross...Donna and Harvey talk a lot about you.

She then goes up to her room to take a bath and get changed while they men work on their case

Mike: Y/N, you have the financial expertise on this. Try looking into these financials to see if you can find something. Me and Liam are gonna try to figure out how we can paint Sarah as accessory to the fact.

Y/N nods in agreement.

Y/N: Got it.

Mike and Liam focus on analyzing the legal aspects of the case, while Y/N delves into the financial records, meticulously combing through the numbers and transactions for any irregularities or suspicious activity

A couple of hours later... 

1:30 A.M

Mike: So, what was the exact amount of money that was lost from McKernon Motors account?

Liam: Why?

Y/N: $152,375,200.18

Liam and Mike look at Y/N with a surprised look

Y/N: Not just a pretty face. I'm good with numbers too.

He takes a look at the financial documents in front of him

Y/N: I think I've found something.

Mike: What is it?

Y/N: Liechtenstein...

The mention of Liechtenstein implies potential offshore accounts, raising suspicions about the source and destination of the embezzled funds

Y/N: And...we'll focus on these five banks over here 

He then puts the documents of five Liechtenstein banks on the table out of the 16 he had 

Liam: Why specifically these five? Like...are you sure? 

Y/N: Alright, listen...

He then categorizes the banks into different groups, explaining the reason behind each selection.

Y/N: Four banks in here have a history of capitulating to subpoenas. So Cunningham would know. These six have U.S corporate parents, which would expose their accounts to federal scrutiny. Once again, Cunningham would know. And this one in particular is low in reserves, so no way he would take his stolen money and put it into some shaky bank.

Mike: So we can be sure...

Y/N: Every person who embezzles money, they do it in their way. But one thing they have in common is that they never put their eggs in one basket. So, we are gonna be looking at a combination of accounts.

Mike: Across banks.

Y/N: Maybe across banks, maybe the same bank. But definitely more than one account.

Liam: How do we figure out which accounts are his?

Y/N: Because they're gonna add up to that exact amount of money that was lost from McKernon's account.

Liam: How do you know?

Y/N: When the account was drained, it had to go somewhere. So we just need a combination of accounts that adds up to $152,375,200.18.

...

The Next Morning...

Y/N slowly wakes up on the floor of his living room, greeted by Maximus licking his face after an all-nighter spent working on the case. Rubbing his eyes, he takes in the morning light filtering through the windows, signaling the start of a new day filled with challenges and possibilities. As he stretches and gets up, he feels the exhaustion of the previous night's work

Y/N: I'm up...I'm up.

Y/N approaches Liam, who is sleeping on the couch with some documents scattered over his chest. He gently tries to wake him up.

Y/N: Liam, wake up.

However, Liam remains unresponsive, so Y/N tries again with a more vigorous approach.

Y/N: Yo! Wake up!

Liam suddenly jolts up from the couch, looking disoriented and startled, as if he was having a very vivid dream.

Liam: I'M NOT A MACHINE, GREER!

Y/N looks at him with a mixture of amusement and disbelief at Liam's outburst.

Y/N: Oh, wow...wet dreams...might wanna check your pants after that.

Y/N scans the room, looking around for Mike. Spotting him in the corner, engrossed in reviewing some documents, Y/N heads over.

Y/N: Hey, Mike. You survived the all-nighter?

Mike, still immersed in the files, nods without looking up

Mike: Of course. You guys are amateurs. Didn't you guys do this at Harvard?

Y/N: Not without cocaine. 

Mike glances at Y/N, raising an eyebrow.

Mike: Cocaine? Seriously?

Y/N: It's not like I was addicted, Mike. It was just something to keep me up at night. Besides...Sigmund Freud used it and people praise him.

Mike: He was an addict.

Y/N: I wasn't. When you race cars at 120 miles per hour, it becomes an addiction.

Mike: Just stick to caffeine, okay?

Y/N chuckles

Y/N: I take it you tied Sarah to Cunningham's crimes?

Mike: We got her. I've set up a meeting with her and Hardman while you guys were sleeping.

Y/N: I'll freshen up. You got another suit?

Mike: I do. It's in my suitcase.

Liam: I'll head back to my place and meet you guys there

Y/N then goes up to his room to take a shower

There, he smiles softly at the sight of Hailee peacefully sleeping alongside their dogs. He quietly grabs his towel and clothes, careful not to disturb her, and heads into the bathroom for a quick shower

After that, he dresses up, but gets surprised by Hailee, who woke up

Hailee: Good morning, handsome. Where are you off to in such a hurry?

Y/N: Morning, babe. We've got a meeting with Sarah and Hardman. Mike set it up.

Hailee: Ah, the corporate drama continues. Well, don't let me keep you. Go slay them with your charm.

Y/N smiles, leaning in to give her a quick kiss.

Y/N: I'll be back before you know it.

With that, he heads downstairs to join Mike for the upcoming meeting

...

A couple of hours later...

McKernon Motors Offices, Downtown Los Angeles

In the sleek, modern offices of McKernon Motors, Y/N, Mike, and Liam sit across from Sarah Mitchell and Daniel Hardman, the tension palpable in the air.

Daniel: Ms. Mitchell has been cooperative thus far. However, I must insist that this meeting remains within the boundaries of legality and professional conduct.

Y/N: We're here to seek the truth, nothing more.

Sarah shifts nervously in her seat, exchanging glances with her lawyer.

Mike: Ms. Mitchell, we've presented compelling evidence linking you to Charles Cunningham's embezzlement scheme. Your involvement is clear, and denying it will only complicate matters further.

Daniel: My client maintains her innocence, Mr. Ross. If you have concrete evidence, present it. Otherwise, I suggest we end this meeting.

Y/N then throws some documents on the table and shows it to them

Y/N: Bang! Meet evidence number one and evidence number two. Liechtenstein banks, financial records, e-mails. You name it!

As Daniel and Sarah review the documents, a tense silence fills the room. Y/N and Mike watch intently, their expressions determined yet controlled.

Daniel's eyes narrow as he scrutinizes the evidence, while Sarah's demeanor shifts, betraying a flicker of uncertainty.

Daniel: These documents... they don't prove anything. They're circumstantial at best.

Y/N: Circumstantial? Tell that to the judge when we present these in court.

Mike: Daniel, you know as well as we do that these documents are damning. Your client's involvement in the embezzlement scheme is clear. She knew about her lover's crimes and still didn't report it to the SEC. That makes her an accessory to the fact.

Sarah: What do you want?

Y/N: Drop your lawsuits and give us Charles Cunningham. We can cut you a deal.

Sarah weighs her options, her expression betraying a mix of defiance and resignation. After a tense moment, she nods reluctantly

Sarah: Fine, I'll...I'll drop the lawsuits. I'll give you Charles.

Y/N: Liam...call Sean Cahill from the SEC. Tell him we have a big fish for him...