Chapter 58 (The Mortal Multiverse : Liam Raven Harper)

Chapter 58 - Mr. Popular

3rd Person Pov

The restaurant Emma picked wasn’t fancy — just cozy and warm, tucked into a quiet street corner. 

Soft jazz hummed in the background, and the smell of roasted garlic filled the air. Liam leaned back on his chair, still half-exhausted from the day but for once, content.

Emma twirled her fork in her pasta and smiled. “You know, Mr. Famous Prosecutor, it’s hard to book dinner with you now. Should I start scheduling an appointment a week in advance?”

Liam chuckled. “You exaggerate. I just finished the first case of my career. I deserve some rest, right?”

[Rest, he says. You’re already thinking about the next case, aren’t you?] Eve asked in a sly tone

‘Don’t start.’ Liam signed

[Oh, I’ll start. You thrive on chaos, Mr. Harper.] She continued teasing

Emma tilted her head. “You’re spacing out?”

He shook his head and smiled without saying anything

Emma laughed softly. “Looks like you actually need some rest”

They both smiled, and the tension of the past few days melted away from Liam. 

The waiter brought their food — steak for Liam, pasta for Emma — and for a few moments, neither said a word and enjoyed the silence.

Then Emma leaned forward. “By the way, now that the case is over, I want to introduce Bruce to you. How about I ask him to visit the apartment this weekend, we can have dinner together”

[You’re about to meet the guy who turns green when he sneezes. Lucky you.] Eve commented

Liam raised an eyebrow. “That works. Is it take out or are you going to cook?”

Emma replied with a soft smile “I’ll cook, this is an important night”

They enjoyed the night without any other thoughts interrupting their evening. The kind that came easily after surviving chaos. 

For tonight, at least, life was simple — good food, good company, and no paperwork waiting to haunt him.

Next Day Morning, Liam woke before sunrise — or rather, Eve made sure he did.

[Rise and shine, superstar. Time to act like you actually sleep at night.]

“Five more minutes.” Liam groaned 

[Sure. I’ll just leak all your embarrassing thoughts Online].

Liam got up and rubbed his eyes yet a sudden realization came to him 

He quickly asked “…You’re starting to sound a bit evil.”

Grumbling, he threw on his running shoes and jogged out into the crisp morning air. 

The city was still half-asleep, and the cool wind against his skin cleared his head.

By the time he returned, sweat clung to his collar. 

He picked up the newspaper outside his apartment — his own photo glared back at him, bold headline: “Young Prosecutor Brings Down the Hidden Evil in NY”

He sighed. “Great. That’s going to be everywhere.”

[You’re trending. Try not to let fame melt your brain]

Liam tossed the paper on the coffee table and headed to the shower. 

When he came out in his usual crisp suit, Emma was already awake — and reading the same newspaper with a grin.

“Well, well,” she said, sipping coffee. “Didn’t think I’d be sharing an apartment with New York’s most eligible legal hero.”

Liam gave her a flat look. “You rehearsed that, didn’t you?”

She shrugged. “A little. But admit it — you love the attention.”

[He does. He pretends to be humble, but his ego’s doing cartwheels]

Liam just smiled and Emma continued to flip to another page. “Listen to this — they’re calling you ‘the Silent Storm of the DA’s Office.’ Kind of dramatic, huh?”

Liam sighed and buttered his toast. “Sounds like a bad movie title.”

[Correction: sounds like your next nickname.]

Emma laughed. “You’re hopeless. Can’t even enjoy a little glory.”

“I’m just glad it’s over,” he said quietly. “The rest is noise.”

Her teasing softened. “Maybe. But you earned every bit of that noise.”

She served breakfast, and they ate while the city outside began to wake. When the dishes were done, Liam picked up his bag.

Emma leaned against the counter. “Don’t burn yourself out, okay?”

He smiled faintly. “No promises.”

[That’s code for ‘I’ll be in another mess by Friday.]

And with that, he left — the morning sun gleaming against the edge of his bike helmet.

The moment Liam parked and walked into the office, he regretted not wearing sunglasses. 

Nearly every corridor he passed was filled with colleagues holding newspapers, smiling, waving, or patting his shoulder.

[Look at you. Mr. Popular. You’d think you just saved the universe.]

‘I preferred it when no one knew my name.’ Liam replied with a confident smirk 

[Liar] 

She didn't believe a single word from Liam  

Beth sat at her desk, reading the newspaper herself, a mature smile on her face. As Liam dropped his bag beside her, he sighed, “Really?”

Beth didn’t even look guilty. “What? I’m just catching up on the latest office celebrity.”

He pinched the bridge of his nose. “You’re enjoying this way too much.”

“Not as much as you think. You just look… different. Happier maybe?”

He shrugged. “Tired, more like.”

Beth smiled knowingly. “Attention can be exhausting, huh?”

[Poor you. The burden of being admired]

Liam shook his head, amused. “It’s not that bad but this is a new experience and I just want to work.”

Beth chuckled and waved him off. “Then stop sulking and get to Cameron’s office before he starts smiling again.”

Liam paused. “He’s smiling?”

Beth nodded. “A lot.”

[Oh no. That’s never good.]

Liam sighed. “Great. That’s my cue to escape,” and headed straight for Cameron’s office.

Cameron’s office door was open, sunlight spilling across the floor. 

As soon as Liam walked in, Cameron Dennis looked up from his desk with an expression that could only be described as fatherly pride.

Liam froze. “Okay… that’s unsettling.”

[He’s staring at you like he just won him the lottery]

“Sit down, Harper,” Cameron said, grin wide. “You made me proud yesterday with the press interview. I almost cried.”

[He definitely didn’t. His tear ducts are as cold as his coffee]

Liam sat, trying not to look uncomfortable. “I’m… glad to hear that?”

Cameron laughed, leaned back, and pulled out five case files. “Pick your next challenge.”

Liam scanned the files carefully — theft, robbery, fraud, and a few assault cases. He picked up the theft and robbery file first. 

Then his eyes drifted to a separate folder sitting on Cameron’s desk — slightly apart, darker in color.

Cameron noticed. “Ah. That one’s a homicide — Harvey’s handling it.”

Liam hesitated, then asked, “Can I work on that too?”

Cameron raised an eyebrow. “Ambitious, aren’t we? You already picked two new cases.”

“I can handle it,” Liam said calmly. “Besides… Seeing how Harvey operates could open up a new perspective for me.”

Cameron smirked. “Watching Harvey work, huh? Brave words. That man doesn’t know fear. But looks like neither do you. Difference is, you’re younger and less insufferable.”

Cameron handed the file over. “Fine. I’ll let him know. You two will either kill each other or make history.”

Liam took the file, smirking. “Guess we’ll find out.”

[You will. And when you outperform him, remember to act humble — just to annoy him more] eve said 

Cameron laughed as Liam stood. “You’re something else, Harper.”

[Understatement of the century]

Liam left the room with the case files in hand, that quiet smirk still tugging at his lips — ready for whatever storm came next.

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