Chapter 52 Dr. Reed's Birthday Party
After saying goodbye to Joshua, I didn't head home. Instead, I wandered the crowded streets, lost in thoughts about him. The bustling street felt like a world apart from my gloomy mood.
Suddenly, my phone rang urgently, breaking my reverie. I fished it out of my bag and saw Lila's name on the screen. Worried something might be wrong, I quickly answered.
"Diana, what are you up to?" Lila's cheerful voice suggested she was in high spirits.
"Not much. Just heading home," I replied, trying to sound more upbeat.
"If you're free, come over to Willie Reed's place." Hearing Willie's name made my heart skip a beat. Willie must be around 80 now. He was my law professor back in the day and was dead set against my marriage to Edward.
He'd often threaten to withhold my credits and graduation unless I broke up with Edward, even trying to set me up with other guys. Willie thought if I hung out with other guys, I'd forget about Edward. Of course, back then, Edward was all that mattered to me, and anyone who dared to disapprove was immediately labeled an enemy. So, I didn't have a great impression of Willie and lost touch after graduation.
"What's up with Dr. Reed?" I asked, concerned.
"Today's his 80th birthday. We're all here to celebrate. You should come too!"
Hearing this, I lost interest immediately. I felt like a walking disaster, bringing trouble wherever I went. Plus, my mind was preoccupied with sorting things out with Edward. How could I think about a birthday party?
"Oh, I see. Please wish Dr. Reed a happy birthday for me. I've got some things to take care of today, so I can't make it," I said, my voice trailing off.
Lila must've sensed something was off. After a brief pause, she said, "Dr. Reed really hopes you can come. You were his prized student, and you disappeared right after graduation. He misses you a lot." Seeing Lila's insistence, I couldn't refuse anymore and decided to go celebrate his birthday. I first went back to my apartment and picked out a nice potted plant as a gift for Willie.
I took a cab to Willie's house. The familiar surroundings stirred up a mix of emotions. To my surprise, I saw Nolan's car there too. I slowly walked up to Willie's house and knocked on the door.
"Coming! It must be Diana! Little Chubby, don't block my way!" Lila opened the door, holding half a chicken leg in her hand.
"Diana, you're finally here! Come in!" Lila enthusiastically pulled me inside. My classmates, sitting around, greeted me warmly.
Nolan was the first to stand up and greet me, "Diana, we thought you wouldn't come. You're really hard to get!" Nolan looked completely different from the serious lawyer I knew at the firm. Even the toughest attorneys turn into young boys in front of their teachers.The guy Lila called Little Chubby, who always got teased for failing physical tests in school, pulled up a chair for me at the table and invited me to sit down.
Hearing the noise outside, Willie came out from the inner room. His steps were slower, and his back was more hunched than before, but he still looked spirited, with his white hair glowing under the light. Seeing me, he smiled kindly. "Diana, I've been waiting for you."
I felt awkward. Back then, I was a naive girl who caused Willie a lot of trouble. But now, four years later, Willie didn't blame me and still cared about me.
I handed the potted plant to Willie with both hands and said, "Dr. Reed, it's been years. I wish you good health."
"Thank you. Have a seat." Willie smiled warmly, and his assistant took the plant inside.
Everyone sat around, eating, chatting, and toasting frequently.
I sat quietly, watching everyone chat lively. As it got late, Willie started to look tired, and we decided to leave so he could rest. Someone suggested going to a bar for a second round of fun, and everyone agreed.
"Diana," Willie suddenly called out, startling me. "I didn't approve of you being with that boy back then, but I knew you were young, and sometimes, young hearts are too stubborn for their own good. I've heard about your recent troubles. I'm touched that you still came to celebrate my birthday. I'm getting old and can't help you much anymore. But your classmates are now prominent figures in the legal field. You're all my students. Remember, it's easier to solve problems with more people. They will help you," Willie said a lot in one breath and started coughing violently. His words stirred my emotions.
Little Chubby added, "Yeah, Diana. We now have connections as lawyers, prosecutors, and public defenders. If you need anything, just let us know. We'll be there for you!"
Hearing this from my professor and classmates made me feel even worse. With tears in my eyes, I nodded vigorously. "Dr. Reed, I'm sorry. I didn't listen to you before, and my life turned out like this." My voice choked, and everyone fell silent.
Lila broke the silence first, then we said goodbye to Willie and headed to the bar.
At the bar, everyone sang and drank non-stop. My mood brightened up.
Lila, leaning on my shoulder, shouted, "Diana, do you know? Stellar Legal Advisors is gone. Nolan and I are both unemployed. But I'm so happy! Do you know how much Mr. Wilson compensated each of us? With that money, I'm now among the wealthy. I no longer have to take cases for a living. I'm a free lawyer now. I can choose who I want to defend!"
Only then did I truly feel relieved. It turned out David didn't cause trouble for my colleagues at the firm. Instead, everyone benefited from the situation.
We partied until late at night before deciding to leave. Since we all drank a lot, we had to take cabs home. Lila wanted to continue the fun at my apartment, so we said goodbye to our classmates early.
I thought the night would end on a high note. But fate, it seemed, had other plans. As soon as we arrived at the apartment, I received a call from Mia. And from the tone of her voice, I knew instantly that something was terribly wrong.
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