Wendy Lawson froze for a moment, unsure of what to say. She quickly raised the paper bag in her hand."I came to return your coat, Lawyer Smith."John Smith reached out and took it from her hands.
He nodded with a bit of reserved politeness."Thank you for the trouble,"he said, and without another word, he turned and walked toward the elevator. He didn't waste a single unnecessary word, as if she were no longer there.
Wendy Lawson panicked and hurried to keep up with him."Lawyer Smith, I was hoping to ask for your help..."
John Smith pressed the elevator button, and as the doors opened, Wendy mustered up the courage to follow him inside, even though she felt out of place.
John Smith glanced at her from the corner of his eye but didn't say anything right away. Instead, he adjusted his shirt in the elevator's mirrored wall, his movements calm and composed. His voice was indifferent as he spoke,"I'm not taking your case."
Wendy Lawson felt a chill wash over her. Her hands and feet grew cold. It seemed John Smith already knew about her family's situation.
She asked softly, her voice barely above a whisper,"Did Owen Brown already speak to you about this?"
John Smith met her gaze through the reflection in the mirror. He smiled lightly, almost casually, and said,"He's not that important. Miss Lawson, I simply like to keep my personal and professional matters separate."
Wendy Lawson understood immediately. His meaning was clear: if she wanted a personal relationship with him, he might be open to it, but when it came to business, there was no discussion to be had. He wouldn't mix the two.
She felt embarrassed, standing there with nowhere to hide. John Smith didn't push her further. While Wendy did fit his aesthetic preferences, she wasn't special enough to make him break his usual rules. Besides, it was broad daylight, and he wasn't in the mood for any of that.
Their conversation was short, and soon, the elevator reached the 28th floor.
John Smith's secretary was waiting by the door. When she saw Wendy Lawson, she was a bit surprised, but her professionalism kept her from showing it. Years of working for John Smith had trained her well. She respectfully said,"Lawyer Smith, Mr. Ma is already here."
John Smith tossed the paper bag with his coat into the secretary's hands, casually instructing,"Send it to the dry cleaners."
The secretary, understanding, left quickly without asking further questions.
John Smith glanced down at his phone, scrolling through messages as he spoke to Wendy in a careless tone,"You should find another lawyer... And by the way, a woman's belt shouldn't be too loose."
He delivered the remark with complete nonchalance before stepping out of the elevator.
Wendy Lawson stood there, stunned, feeling that John Smith was nothing but a hypocrite—reserved, yes, but also incredibly self-righteous.
...After being turned down by John Smith, Wendy Lawson tried everything she could think of, but she couldn't get another chance to see him. Her family was becoming more desperate by the day. Aunt Emily was growing increasingly anxious and constantly complaining, adding to Wendy's stress.
Feeling overwhelmed, Wendy decided to reach out to her old college friend, Vivian, for help. Vivian had married a second-generation rich heir in City B after graduation and had built up a wide social circle. Wendy hoped Vivian might be able to come up with a solution.
They arranged to meet at a café, and after sitting down, Wendy told Vivian the whole story from start to finish.
Vivian, always loyal to her friends, didn't hold back. She cursed Owen Brown thoroughly, venting all her frustration on Wendy's behalf. After a few angry words, she paused, her eyes gleaming with curiosity."Wait, are you telling me that you almost had a thing with John Smith that night?"
Wendy's face turned red as she stirred her coffee gently, not answering immediately.
Vivian lowered her voice and leaned in,"Wendy, that's impressive! John Smith has notoriously high standards, and he rarely has any gossip attached to his name. If you caught his eye, you've done something not many women have."
Wendy smiled bitterly, shaking her head."I had no choice, Vivian. If I weren't desperate, I wouldn't have bothered you with this."
John Smith wielded considerable influence in his circles, and Wendy knew that asking for Vivian's help could put her in a tough position, possibly making enemies with powerful people.
But Vivian was loyal. Despite the risks, she used her connections to track down John Smith's schedule for the week.
---
Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m., John Smith had an appointment to play golf at a private club.
Wendy Lawson tagged along with Vivian and her husband, hoping this would give her a chance to speak with John. However, to her surprise, Owen Brown was there too.
Wendy froze on the spot.
Vivian, noticing the tension, pinched her husband hard and whispered,"You didn't check properly! How can Wendy relax with Owen Brown here?"
Vivian's husband, feeling guilty, quickly apologized."Wendy, I'm so sorry! I didn't know. I should've looked into it more carefully."
Wendy was about to respond, but before she could, John Smith had already spotted them from across the golf course.
Dressed in a crisp white casual outfit, standing tall and strikingly handsome, John Smith carried himself with effortless grace. Amid the crowd, he stood out, almost like the center of attention wherever he went.
Just like at his law firm, John Smith acted as if he didn't know Wendy. He greeted Vivian's husband with a nod, but didn't offer Wendy a second glance.
Vivian's husband was clearly flattered by the acknowledgment, responding with an eager smile.
It wasn't until a few moments later that John Smith seemed to notice Wendy at all.
Wendy, who already had flawless skin, had dressed lightly today for the occasion. She wore a loose white T-shirt and light gray sports shorts. Her light brown, wavy hair was tied up in a bun, giving her a fresh yet subtly alluring look.
John Smith's gaze swept over her long, fair legs with a brief, disinterested glance before he remarked casually,"Haven't seen this face before…"