Wendy Lawson rushed home, only to find Aunt Emily sitting on the couch, lost in thought. Her eyes were red, as if she'd been crying. Wendy looked around anxiously and couldn't help but ask,"Aunt Emily, what happened? Where's Dad?"
Aunt Emily was Wendy's stepmother, the second wife of her father. Hearing Wendy's question, Aunt Emily couldn't hold back her anger and frustration.
"That Owen Brown, what an ingrate! He's heartless!completely heartless!"
"You stood by him when his company was struggling, and now that he's recovered, not only did he dump you, but he also had your father sent to jail. Your poor father is in the detention center right now."
... ...
Wendy Lawson was stunned. She spoke after a moment,"Aunt Emily, don't worry. I…I'll talk to Owen Brown quickly."
She thought, even though they couldn't be a couple anymore, there had to be some affection left from the past. Surely Owen Brown wouldn't go to such extremes and be so merciless. She dialed his number, and he answered quickly.
Wendy humbled herself,"Owen, we've already broken up. I beg you, please don't take your anger out on my father.It's not fair."
Owen scoffed.
He said,"There's a deficit in the accounts. Someone has to take responsibility."
Wendy wanted to plead further, but Owen interrupted,"There's one other way, if you're willing, that is. Wendy Lawson, stay with me for five years, and I'll let your father go."
Wendy was stunned.
She never imagined Owen Brown could be so shameless. He already had her father's downfall and his powerful connections, but now he wanted her body too!
Wendy trembled with rage,"Owen Brown, you disgust me!"
Owen chuckled indifferently,"Haven't you known what kind of person I am all along?"
Wendy gritted her teeth,"I will never be your mistress! Forget it!"
Owen laughed coldly."Then you'd better prepare to hire a lawyer for your father! Wendy Lawson, don't say I didn't warn you. For such a large sum, he'll be sentenced to at least ten years."
Wendy sneered,"I'll get the best lawyer!"
"You mean John Smith?"Owen said smoothly."Wendy Lawson, you've forgotten, haven't you? He's going to be my brother-in-law soon. Do you really think he'll help you with the case?"
Wendy felt a chill from head to toe!
Owen's parting words were,"I'll be waiting for you to beg me."
...
Wendy hung up the phone, and Aunt Emily immediately cursed.
"That b*st*rd!"
"He's dreaming! Even if our family is completely ruined, we'll never let him have you!"
Aunt Emily's voice cracked with emotion, and she started to cry."But that Lawyer Smith, he's that ingrate's future brother-in-law. How could we ever hire him? Wendy, you have to think of something."
Wendy lowered her eyes.
After a moment, she said quietly,"I've met Lawyer Smith once. I'll give it a try."
Aunt Emily, being a woman, was sensitive. She noticed the faint smell of alcohol on Wendy and the fact that Wendy was still wearing a man's coat. She guessed something had happened but chose not to bring it up.
Meeting with John Smith wasn't easy.
At the lobby of"Jaywin"Law Firm, the receptionist politely said,"I'm sorry, Miss. Without an appointment, I can't let you go upstairs."
Wendy regretted not accepting his business card the night before.
She asked,"If I make an appointment now, when can I see Lawyer Smith?"
The receptionist checked her schedule."The earliest would be in two weeks."
Wendy felt a pang of anxiety.
Just then, the elevator at the corner of the lobby opened, and a man and woman stepped out.
The man was none other than John Smith.
He wore a classic black and white suit, impeccably dressed, exuding the aura of a true elite.
The woman with him was a wealthy lady in her early 30s with a stunning figure.
The moment John Smith stepped out of the elevator, he saw Wendy Lawson, but he acted as if he didn't know her, walking the client to the door with perfect professionalism.
He maintained his composure and, as he shook the woman's hand, bid her farewell.
The woman's voice was coy,"Lawyer Smith, I couldn't have gotten through the divorce and secured my assets without you! You wouldn't believe how stingy he became after finding a new lover…"
John Smith smiled lightly."Just doing my job."
The woman made her move."Lawyer Smith, how about drinks tonight?"
Wendy looked at the woman and thought, with a figure like that, most men wouldn't refuse.
But John Smith wasn't like most men.
He glanced at his watch and politely declined."Unfortunately, I have plans tonight."
The woman was smart enough to realize that Lawyer Smith wasn't interested in her. She said her goodbyes with a flirtatious smile, got into her car, and drove away.
After seeing the client off, John Smith paused at the front desk.
Looking at Wendy Lawson, he said,"Changed your mind?"