Chapter 17 The Trap Set by the Investor
I felt kinda down and just stared at the floor, not saying a word. Nolan checked his watch and said, "I've got a dinner with an investor. Wanna come? It's up to you if you can join us." I glanced at my phone; it was only 4 PM. I could totally make it back to the Howard Mansion by 9 PM, so I said yes.
But honestly, I was a bit thrown off. A hotshot lawyer like Nolan needing an investor? The legal world is definitely more twisted than I thought.
We got to the hotel early, grabbed some coffee, and chatted about a few recent cases. Time flew by, and before we knew it, it was getting dark.
I checked the time again; it was already past 7 PM, and the mysterious investor still hadn't shown up. I started worrying if I'd make it back to the Howard Mansion by 9 PM.
Then the door to the private room opened, and a tall guy walked in. When I saw his face, I was floored. David Wilson?
David acted like he didn't even see me and went straight to the main seat, diving into business talk with Nolan.
I couldn't focus on their conversation, lost in my own memories.
The Cooper family, the Howard family, and the Wilson family have been tight for generations. I grew up with Edward and David, who were around my age.
Unlike Edward, David and I used to fight all the time as kids. He never took it easy on me just because I was a girl, and I always fought back. We never had a clear winner.
Childhood spats weren't enough to make me hold a grudge against him. What made me resent David was what happened at my wedding with Edward.
I was standing on the wedding stage, ready to start my new life.
But then David barged in, reeking of alcohol, and stormed onto the stage. "Diana, do you think you'll be happy? You and he won't end well!"
The crowd went nuts, some people looked shocked, others started whispering.
I was stunned and furious. "David, stop it! Today is my wedding."
Edward stepped up, shielding me. "Please leave and don't ruin our wedding."
"Trust me, getting married right after graduation is the worst decision you could make." David stood there, eyes full of defiance.
It wasn't until Daniel came on stage and dragged David away that the wedding continued.
But the damage was done. David's outburst cast a shadow over the whole event, and my wedding was no longer perfect.
David's reckless behavior at my wedding, cursing my happiness, was still fresh in my mind.
Later, Edward warned me that they were business rivals and told me to cut all ties with David. I agreed right away and deleted all of David's contact info.
I pressed my temples, trying to shake off the bitter memories.
When they finished talking, David suddenly said, "Well, if it isn't Ms. Cooper! Nolan, you really reel in this 'big fish' for me after four years."
Nolan laughed along.
I didn't get what they were up to, but my gut told me this dinner was a setup by David and Nolan.
Today was my first time meeting Nolan, so the mastermind behind this had to be the so-called investor, my old nemesis, David.
At that moment, the power dynamics were crystal clear.
More than anger, I felt a sense of bitterness.
For four years, Lila had been trying to get me back to work, probably because Nolan was pulling the strings behind the scenes.
How did I not see that a big firm like Stellar Legal Advisors would hire me the moment I wanted a job?
Turns out, it was all David's doing.
I hadn't seen David in four years. He'd lost that boyish look and now had the vibe of a business mogul.
Edward had told me that even though David was Daniel's second son from the Wilson Family, Daniel was grooming him to take over the Wilson Group. I never thought David would invest in a law firm of this scale for four years just because of me.
David said, "Four years is a long time. If you were a bit smarter, you would've taken the bait sooner. But hey, hard work pays off; my investment wasn't wasted."
I glanced at Nolan, who nodded.
David snapped his fingers, and the waiter brought in two bottles, setting them on the table.
"Diana, you ready to admit defeat? If you do, I'll let you off the hook. If not, no worries. Drink these two bottles, and I'll still let you off. We'll have plenty of chances to get reacquainted." David's smile was calculating.
I knew this was David's way of provoking me. If it were four years ago, I would've smashed a bottle over his head, but now I couldn't. I needed David to give me a job.
I needed to make money!
I stood up, grabbed a bottle, and filled my glass. "If I drink this, will you let me work at Stellar Legal Advisors?"
I tilted my head back, and the burning sensation traveled from my tongue to my stomach.
David and Nolan both looked surprised.
David squinted slightly, trying to figure out what I was up to.
Nolan opened his mouth as if to say something but stopped.
David's lips curled into a faint smile. "I didn't expect you to have such guts. Finish these two bottles, and I'll let you work at Stellar Legal Advisors."
David looked at me provocatively.
I gritted my teeth and, without a word, picked up the glass and started drinking.
Nolan watched, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The spicy liquor flowed down my throat, and I forced myself to endure the discomfort, drinking one glass after another.
The only sound in the room was me pouring the liquor.
After finishing one bottle, my mind was getting fuzzy. David's face darkened. I reached for the second bottle.
Nolan stood up and pressed down on the bottle. He said gently, "Ms. Cooper, Mr. Wilson just wants you to yield. Why make things hard for yourself?"
"Yield?" I laughed bitterly. "Never."
"Especially not to him," I added, staring at David's cold face.
I propped myself up with the glass. "Or is Mr. Wilson reluctant to let me drink such good liquor?"
David was indifferent and said, "Nolan, let her be. I can afford a little liquor."
I slammed the glass down and started drinking straight from the bottle.
Nolan said to David, "That's enough. Why are you doing this?"
I felt the room spinning, my consciousness fading.
Nolan supported me as I leaned weakly against him, wanting to say something but unable to make a sound.
David sneered from the side, "Biting off more than you can chew."
I let myself sink into this chaotic state, my heart full of unwillingness and grievance.
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