Chapter 67

Nylah had been pacing about her office in a fit of rage since Harvey and his legal representation had deigned to transmit their evil, smug presence away. They’d held all the winning cards from the beginning they stepped foot into her office and she had no choice but cater to their every whim.
How was she to know that little, insignificant Mia Evans had such powerful friends? Did Gabriel know? Did he knowingly let her put her very career in jeopardy by getting involved in a power struggle? The very notion caused her blood to run cold and she shivered.
It had to be within Gabriel’s knowledge, not much slipped past him. He was well prepared. His preparedness was only to cover himself. She was facing potential suspension of her license and debarment all because she had stuck her head in matters that didn’t involve her.

At this rate, Gabriel was facing a real chance at losing both his wife and daughter, now that Harvey Regal was in the mix Mia would be afforded the best representation money could buy. Gabriel’s indiscretions would be laid out for the courts to judge and Nylah doubted there was any judge on the roll that would consider Gabriel a fit parent.

Through her, he’d used his own daughter to manipulate his wife to take actions against her will. It seemed that Mia would very well be able to cut the cord between them. Gabriel, on the other hand, only stood to lose his wife and child. He barely even cared about them to begin with, Nylah knew it was no real loss.
As for her, all responsibility and disciplinary action would befall her if Harvey decided that she had to give testimony. If she refused, her actions would be reported and if she agreed her actions would be revealed. There was no way out for her.

She grabbed her cell phone, her hands shaking as she clutched onto it tightly. It wasn’t fair. She dialled the number on her phone of the only person she couldn’t stand to think off at this precise moment. She sank down into the leather couch lining the door by the entrance, listening the ringing through the cell phone. The soles of her feet tapping on the floor, every second the call remained unanswered her temperature elevated.
Nylah shot up from her seat and began pacing again. There was a click and his voice rang through, “Speak, quickly.” He’d growled into the phone. He’d seen the caller ID and contemplated changing his number altogether. In his experience, women never took the hint to leave him alone, despite him being as clear as day.

“Listen you snake,” she susurrated, the rage propagating in her belly was maddening her, “if I am going down I am taking you with me.” She threatened. She’d ensure he lost everything he actually cared about, she didn’t know how, but she was smart.
This wench! Gabriel pulled the cell phone away from his ear and stared at the screen mordantly. Who the fuck did she think she was speaking to? It had to be a misdial.

“Check the number and dial again.” He hissed, hanging up the call.
Nylah growled out loud, the sound of her grumbling morphing and evolving into a full blown scream echoing back in her ears. The clients outside of the room staring at the door in a state of mystification while her secretary dropped the stack of manila folders she was transporting back to her desk to create new files for recent clients.
She glanced back at her cell phone and shook her head. She hit redial without a second thought, cursing the Gods for ever allowing such a soul to find existence. Gabriel answered on the second ring. “Even with your level of importance, I am quite certain you must have some work to do.” He took a breath, “Or are you completely useless except for lying on your back?”
The entire room glowed red through Nylah’s eyes. She could feel the steam evaporating through her ears. “You have some gall to speak to me in such a manner.” She was shouting, she knew she was but she had lost the ability to modulate her voice.

“It’s called lack of respect.” He corrected her flagrantly, he was more than ready to disconnect the call again, still very much bewildered by her anger towards him.
Nylah chuckled bitterly, “Is that why you failed to mention that Harvey Regal has an interest in your marriage or the dissolution of it?”
The name solicited an irritating ringing in Gabriel’s ear and the centre of his face throbbed with the reminder of their altercation. “What?” he spat, unsure of why she’d mention that man’s name to him. Was she mocking him? Did she see what happened the other night and was using it to get some sort of revenge?

“Harvey Regal has just threatened me with legal action because I chose to act on behalf of your wife without disclosing the actual conflict of interest that presented itself.” The words rattled off her tongue without a stammer or stutter. Hearing it out loud again caused her over-flowing anger to drip into disgust.
Disgust for her own hand in manipulating a woman in favour of this demon spawn she was speaking too.

“That makes no sense.” Gabriel growled into the phone, not understanding the ground for legal action, but the key points were present. “Regal doesn’t have any connection to me or my wife.” He told her. Her cold, dry laughter echoed in his ear and he inhaled deeply, his anger sky-rocketing.

“So you don’t know everything.” She countered indignantly. “Just consider this call a warning. I’ll never be dragged down alone so prepare yourself.” There was a click and the call ended.
Was the Regal’s making a play against him? They were a powerful family that were capable of finding out his family history with one simple investigation. In the past year alone, he hadn’t exactly been discreet. Either way, they couldn’t do anything legally without Mia’s consent and she would never cause an action to be brought against him, not when their daughter’s sole provider was him.
His mind reeled, recalling Harvey and Mia exchanging words. Did that family go as far as to plant their youngest in Mia’s midst just so they could form some relationship? He’d have to talk to Mia and his attorney’s.

He dialled the senior counsel to the firm Nylah worked at. He usually handled all of Gabriel’s matters and he needed them in front of this as a precaution.
The call was answered on the third ring, “Mr. Porter,” Gabriel coaxed in a friendly tone.

“Mr. Evans, what a coincidence, I was just about to phone you.” Anderson Porter’s voice was twisted about in static.

“A coincidence indeed,” Gabriel agreed, his head already hurting from having to lend all his attention just to understand the words coming through the phone.

“I wanted to discuss some matters with you, Mr. Evans.” Anderson took front on the call, wanting his peace to be said.

“As did I, however, carry on first.” Gabriel allowed the senior to speak his peace before he gave the firm a heads up on the potential attack. He’d also have to have a talk with Mia, if the Regal was making a play at him, they’d target his reputation. He and Mia needed to present a united front.

“Due to some matters that have recently come to light, we would very much like to meet with you to discuss termination of our retainer.” Anderson Porter took no breaths, it was as if he had rehearsed the sentence and he did. Their firm had been partnered with Gabriel for years and while they had no issue preventing his secrets from coming to light, they couldn’t protect him when he’d brought the firm’s reputation under further scrutiny.
If they had to choose, it would always be self-preservation.

“What?” Gabriel pronounced the single syllable through clenched teeth. This was not to be expected. He’d brought all of his matters to this firm and now they were shoving him out because of some half-cocked accusations by Harvey Regal?

“There were some serious allegations made to our firm this morning. Due to an oversight, apparently we have acted for both you and your wife’s opposing interests and per our code of Ethics since your interests diverged with your wife’s we cannot adequately represent the interests of you both and, therefore, must terminate the retainers altogether. Please visit our office at any time to receive a copy of an official letter and I will be glad to explain its contents to you in full.” Anderson explained almost robotically, any and all familiarity that the pair had cultivated over the years had disappeared.

“Fuck that, I know how to read, Anderson.” Gabriel cursed in frustration, waiting for a reaction. This had to be an absolute joke.

“Of course, Mr. Evans. I apologise for any misunderstanding. If you will excuse me, I have a client waiting for me.” The line went dead before Gabriel could further respond.