Chapter 151 The Little Things He Did for Her
Ashley: [What a coincidence!]
She was just temporarily kicked out of the car and randomly chose this small diner, unexpectedly running into Sean.
Sean was dressed in a full suit, probably not feeling quite at home here. After coming in, he naturally unbuttoned a button, took off his suit, and hung it on the back of the chair, making it less strange.
His movements were smooth and natural, indicating that he did this often.
Sean said, "The law firm is nearby. Haven't you been here before?"
Ashley looked outside, noticing the surrounding high-rise buildings. Not far away, outside a high-end office building, the name of a law firm was brightly displayed.
She had heard these few words before and had a rough idea of the location, but today, she was preoccupied and didn't pay attention to the surroundings.
It was indeed quite a coincidence.
If Damian had known that his dismissal order would result in a chance encounter, inadvertently providing an opportunity for others, one could only wonder how he would have felt.
Unexplainably, Ashley felt like laughing.
Ashley said, "I've heard a lot about this law firm, just haven't been inside. As a stalwart and trendsetter in the industry, many people are eager to collaborate with you. I truly admire that."
Ashley's compliment was merely praise, indicating that she wasn't really seeking a position there. On the contrary, her stance was clear: the competition was tough, and we needed to work hard.
Sean had mentioned inviting her to join the new project team here before, but after being rejected, he didn't pursue it further. "It's a pity I didn't discover the gem that is Ashley earlier. Otherwise, its development would have been even better. But you being at Sky Balance Law Firm might not be a bad thing. It keeps me on my toes, fearing that one day you might excel so much that I'll be left with nothing to eat."
He said it in a joking tone.
The spaghetti arrived, and Sean started eating. Ashley picked up her fork as well. "Are you trying to shut me up with all that talk?"
Sean chuckled, "You tell I'm joking? About the international case you mentioned, what kind is it?"
Ashley replied, "It leans towards financial fraud and catching traitors."
As an industry insider, Sean knew what not to ask. "Have you handled financial lawsuits abroad before?"
Watching him squeeze the ketchup onto his plate, Ashley interjected, "Do you like ketchup that much?"
"Yes." Sean, looking at his spaghetti, which was almost changing color, gave a wry smile. "I picked up the habit of liking ketchup from my wife. When she was pregnant, she loved ketchup and would put it on many dishes. There's a saying that if you crave sour foods, you'll have a boy, but it's not necessarily true. In the end, she gave birth to a girl."
When he mentioned his daughter, Sean's face softened with paternal affection, his eyes as gentle as a baby's blanket.
Ashley envied his wife a bit. In her brief life, she had received her husband's devoted love and left behind the continuation of that love for the man she adored.
Sean said, "Forget about that; let's talk about you."
Ashley said, "I've dealt with similar cases with mentors abroad, but the legal system in Country H is different from here, not to mention it involves citizens from two countries."
Sean quickly ran through the relevant clauses and cases in his mind and then said, "Whether it's domestic or international, knowing the right people is crucial. Have you researched the local courts? What kind of judge presides over the case? Also, look into how similar cases have been sentenced by that court and judge. While these aspects may not be strictly legal, people are emotional beings, and both legal and personal aspects should not be overlooked."
Ashley said, "I've made some preparations based on what you've told me, though they might not be thorough enough. I'll take a closer look once I fly over there."
Sean chuckled, "You said you wanted to consult me, but you seem to know a lot already."
Ashley replied, "If I ask you for specific strategies, would you tell me?"
Sean said, "We're not adversaries. Why hold back? If you trust me, feel free to tell me what Country H is and who your client is."
Ashley thought Sean would politely decline, but to her surprise, he adopted an open attitude, putting pressure on her, "Country H. The rest, I'd rather not say."
Sean smiled knowingly. Yes, besides KM Road, who else was there?
Then, Sean elaborated on the legal characteristics of Country H, the usual strategies for similar cases, and the working styles of several courts there. After his explanation, he emphasized once again, "In Country H, your testimony must be flawless because the prosecution will try to rationalize every crime. They will try to break you down! Even if they can't prove your innocence, if they can discredit your testimony, they can still forgive the criminal."
Even within the same law firm, there was competition and intrigue when it came to taking cases, let alone between rival law firms.
Sean's words were all industry insights, and Ashley felt a bit embarrassed to ask further, "Legal terms are too heavy for a meal. Can we talk about something lighter?"
Sean said, "Like what?"
How should Ashley steer the conversation? She opted for a less technical approach, "I have a friend who keeps receiving flowers from a secret admirer. The sender is quite peculiar; he doesn't speak nor openly pursue her. What do you think is the mindset behind this?"
Sean pondered for a moment, "If someone's affection causes distress to another, that person should be considerate and know when to stop. Is she feeling troubled?"
Just having received flowers without even meeting the person shouldn't have been distressing.
And because of the flower deliveries, it indirectly deterred Hendrix from continuing his advances, shifting the focus of some women at the law firm who were inquiring about her personal life. Hendrix's attentive behavior towards her hadn't sparked widespread discussion yet, perhaps thanks to the flowers.
Selfishly thinking, it was a good shield.
She wasn't ready to accept anyone's love. To focus wholeheartedly on work, having an omnipresent "boyfriend" seemed quite ideal.
Seeing Ashley lost in thought, Sean didn't rush her but gently said, "Would you like to hear a man's perspective?"
Ashley was indeed pondering. Using someone else's kindness for mischief, wasn't that the behavior of a bad woman?
Hearing that he was willing to provide an analysis, she naturally accepted, "Tell me your thoughts."
Sean picked up a piece of sushi, eating slowly and methodically. He chewed silently, then swallowed before taking a sip of soup, "Perhaps the gentleman just wants your friend to be happy without the need for a formal relationship."
Ashley asked, "A knight?"
Sean furrowed his brow slightly and chuckled, "Not necessarily a knight, as most knightly tales end tragically."
Ashley wasn't adept at matters of the heart. Sean's advice didn't seem to offer a clear decision.
It was Sean's last words that gave her reassurance. 'Ashley, why not put yourself in their shoes? If you really liked someone, wouldn't you want them to feel a little bit happier because of your existence every day? Maybe there's no place for you in that person's tomorrow, but haven't you already found happiness when you give your sincere love? Sometimes, happiness isn't about waiting to see the results before paying all at once. It's infused in every little thing you do for them."
