Chapter 257


    Chapter 257 #Chapter 5: Unlikely Encounters


    E


    With my boss’s directive, the rest of the day was uncharacteristically light for me. There was an odd


    sense of liberation, knowing that the usual tasks weren’t waiting for me. I ventured into the heart of the


    city, selecting a sophisticated yet sharp charcoal-gray suit. As I felt the smooth fabric against my skin, I


    thought that I definitely needed this upgrade.


    Returning to the firm, I noticed my colleagues ncing curiously at me. Their confusion was


    understandable; they weren’t used to seeing me so rxed and unburdened.


    Sarah, on the other hand, sulked by her desk without a word. She was surrounded by a sea of papers,


    and looked utterly overwhelmed. I felt a little bad for her.


    “Hey,” I said quietly as I made my way up to her. “Want some help?”


    Sarah’s face turned red. “Not from you,” she hissed. “Why did you have to go and tattle? It’s not like I


    ask for help from you because I look down on you or anything. It’s just… Well, I normally have better


    clients than you do.”


    I took in a sharp breath, choosing not to let her snidement get the best of me.


    “I know,” I said, forcing a stiff smile. “But I didn’t tattle’. If I’m being honest, i’m not entirely sure what


    happened…”


    Sarah’s eyes narrowed. “And a high profile client, too? What’s the big deal?” I shrugged, pulling up a


    chair to the side of her desk. “I don’t know, Sarah. But, hey… Let me help you. I’ve got free time.”


    For a couple of hours, I assisted Sarah despite her obvious disdain for me. We spent the next two


    hours reviewing briefs and cross- referencing casews. It felt good to lend a hand without the


    pressure of pending tasks hanging over my head.


    Finishing up, I checked my wristwatch. It read 5:30 pm. A full thirty minutes of free time before my


    meeting, I mused. This was truly an anomaly in my rigorous routine. Typically, I would be hunched over


    case files until the wee hours of the morning.


    I spent thest thirty minutes looking at the meager file that Mr. Henderson gave me. It offered little


    information, other than my client’sst name: Barrett.


    Whoever this ‘Mr. Barrett’ was certainly seemed like a bit of an enigma, or someone who at the very


    least valued his privacy. Other than that, all I could gather was that this mysterious ‘Mr. Barrett’ owned


    several businesses throughout the city, each one more different than thest.


    A chain of supermarkets, a mattress store, a…. car wash? Was he really as well-known as Mr.


    Henderson made him out to be? Surely there had to be more than this. Exiting thew firm’s imposing


    steel-and-ss building, I was greeted by the sight of a sleek. ck Bentley.


    Really? Another one? I chuckled inwardly, pondering the curious penchant for Bentleys amongst this


    city’s elite. It brought me back to my ill-fated encounter with my fated matest night, but I quickly


    pushed that sour memory out of my mind and stered a smile on my face instead.


    The door opened smoothly, and I was met by the face of a professional-looking driver. I was half-


    expecting my client, considering the dramatics from earlier. He gave a polite nod.


    “Miss Morgan?”


    I nodded in response, settlingfortably in the back seat. “To Mr. Barrett’s, then?”


    “Yes, ma’am,” he replied, starting the car.


    The leather interior exuded opulence. I fished out the case files I had carefully curated throughout the


    day. L. Barrett: owner of a strange array of businesses and now in the midst of a significantnd


    dispute.


    As the Bentley smoothly navigated the city streets, I was treated to an evolving canvas of urban


    wonders. The city, bathed in the soft amber glow of the setting sun, showcased a unique blend of


    architectural marvels and bustling life.


    This city was so much different from the one I had grown up in, so much more culture. People of all


    walks of life, backgrounds, and ethnicities walked the streets. Colorful murals lined the walls of


    buildings. Street performers did tricks and yed instruments on the sidewalks, amassing groups of


    curious tourists and onlookers.


    Yes, this city was more dangerous than the one I had grown up in. It was overpopted, with a thick


    current of crime running along its dark underbelly.


    But it had character beneath it all. Potential. I imagined a world in which the crime of this city was


    eventually dredged out, allowing the city’s true colors to finally shine.


    That was why I came here, to make a positive mark here. As awyer, I had the ability to choose


    between running along the dark side or the light side. I could defend criminals, I could help them stay


    out of prison so they could continue tomit crimes, or… I could defend good people. I could put the


    bad guys away behind bars.


    That was what I wanted. My dad didn’t fully understand it, but Moana, the Golden Wolf, understood


    fully how much that meant to me. She knew better than anybody how much good was in the world, and


    how those good people just needed a few extra rungs ced on theirdder sometimes to climb to the


    top.


    The Bentley pulled up to a towering building, its facade gleaming with the golden hues of the setting


    sun. The magnitude of its luxury struck me immediately.


    While I hadn’t been in the city for long, it was undeniable that this was one of its crown jewels. It


    reminded me of my dad’s penthouse back in my home city, which he owned the entirety of. My dad


    rented out the lower apartments to other wealthy people, but it was mostly reserved for our sprawling


    penthouse.


    This building, however, was a little different. I could tell from the sign and the red carpet running up to


    the door, along with the sight of the elegantly-dressed peopleing in and out, that this ce


    practically dripped with cash.


    This is property ? N?velDrama.Org.


    The doorman’s crisp uniform and white gloves alone were a testament to the building’s prestige. No


    wonder Mr. Henderson insisted that I buy a nice suit.


    “Miss Morgan, I presume?” he said, smiling courteously. “Mr. Barrett is expecting you. Top floor.”


    As I stepped into the elevator, I took a moment to breathe. This entire setup feltvish. Toovish. My


    father, a seasoned businessman, would never entertain his legal counsel in such an opulent manner. It


    was too showy, too brazen.


    The elevator doors slid open, revealing a dimly lit, expansive space. The entire floor seemed to be


    reserved for this single event. Arge table was set, pristine white tablecloth shimmering under the


    chandeliers.


    But the real showstopper was the panoramic view of the city. Its lights danced like stars against the


    canvas of the night. Against this backdrop stood a silhouette.


    The man’s posture wasmanding, yet there was an unmistakable familiarity about him. The


    intoxicating scent that drifted towards me made my heart skip a beat. It was a fragrance I knew… I


    knew it all too well, in fact.


    Instantly, I went to turn around and leave-but the elevator doors were shut, and a man in a ck suit


    with dark sunsses on was blocking the way.


    It can’t be, I thought to myself, swallowing as I slowly turned back to face the figure standing by the


    window.


    “Miss…” He turned, and the light from the room illuminated his features. As soon as he saw me, his


    eyes widened in recognition, his posture straightened, and his voice trembled just slightly as he


    continued..


    Miss Morgan. Good evening.”