Chapter 21 A Narrow Encounter with Damian
Damian ended the call, swiped his finger across the screen, and checked the message Ashley had sent him.
"We won, waiting for the official verdict," He read the terse message, as unemotional as a robot.
Despite being her client, she had never shown him a friendly face, yet she greeted opponents with a beaming smile.
This woman needs to be taken down a peg!
He thought even a single letter in response was too generous.
Elsewhere, Ashley, having finished her business, instructed her assistant, “Head back to the firm, Hannah.”
Hannah complied with eager obedience, “Sure thing. I’ll go claim our victory laurels with Harold; see if I can swing you a hefty bonus. Plus, we should plan a grand celebration.”
Ashley commented, “I'm open to bonuses, but as for a celebration, see if Harold can just give cash instead."
Hannah chuckled, "Need a lot of funds for that home renovation? Has the culprit been found? Will you get compensation?"
After Damian got involved, Mason had promptly taken care of compensation that very day. The settlement was substantial enough to buy another house, yet Ashley's expenses were vast; it was nowhere near enough.
“Just take a cab back and send me your case analysis report. You’re too young to worry about adult stuff,” Ashley instructed.
Hannah nodded and added a word of caution, "Watch out for Sean, though. Looks can be deceiving, and that guy's got some tricks up his sleeve. I’ve heard he once made an opposing lawyer pass out in court. He's ruthless when he wants to be.”
Ashley shrugged off the warning, "Any good lawyer's got a few tricks. You think I'm naive?"
Hannah nodded confidently, saying, "Ashley, you are someone I solely admire when it comes to intelligence! Despite his tough exterior, you managed to outshine him."
Ashley tapped Hannah's forehead playfully, "What a sweet talker you are. I get your point, now off you go."
Before her encounter with Sean, Ashley ducked into the restroom.
After a busy day, her makeup had faded unevenly. She took out her compact to touch up her foundation and applied a fresh coat of lipstick, Dior 999, which always brightened up her complexion.
"Ashley, over here."
Sean's car rolled up to the courthouse entrance ahead of time, the click of the passenger side door popping open as Ashley approached.
Unlike most lawyers, Sean's ride was subtle, a top-of-the-line QX60 whose luxury was only clear to the seasoned eye.
Keeping a professional distance, Ashley insisted, "I'll drive my car. You lead the way."
Ever the gentleman, Sean offered, "Wouldn't it be my pleasure to play chauffeur? Let's grab a bite and I'll bring you right back. The restaurant's just around the corner."
Reluctantly, Ashley acquiesced. At the doorstep of the courthouse, especially with that cluster of journalists who hadn't dispersed, the last thing she wanted was attention. Being recognized as KM's legal counsel would only stir up further hassle.
She ducked into the car, fastening her seatbelt, leaving behind the fear of reporters with eyes like hawks.
In her professional attire, Ashley was the epitome of sleek elegance in a crisp black suit. A snow-white chiffon blouse peeked out from under her tailored jacket, a black bow fluttering freely over it. Seated gracefully, her slender waist and poised posture flowed in a perfect curve from her jawline to her arms and along her profile.
"Guessing your preferences is tricky," Sean broke the quiet, “Do sweet dishes suit you?"
Though with a sweet tooth, Ashley played her cards close to the chest, “I'm not picky," she replied offhandedly, “Anything's fine as long as it's not too spicy."
Sean drove with dependable smoothness, the Infiniti's suspension muting the rumbles of the road, “Heard some talk back at the courthouse about a recent case you won. Then there was that fire at your house. Any relation to the case?" he asked with a hint of curiosity.
Inside, Ashley sighed at the lack of secrets among their circles, “The police haven't pinpointed the cause of the fire yet. Ever deal with something like that?" She was determined to turn the tables and keep the conversation from prying into her business.
A wry smile crossed Sean's face, “Never had someone torch my place, thankfully. But I've had my car painted over, tires blown out; It appears that little reprisals are commonplace in this line of work."
Maintaining her guard, Ashley didn't want the conversation to wander anywhere near KM, “With your sterling reputation in the legal profession and a seat at Rochester’s premier law firm, it's mind-boggling anyone would target you."
Chuckling without humor, Sean said, "Reputation's fleeting; win a few cases, you're a hero; lose one, and you're a target. Such is the biz." His words rang both official and sincere.
Ashley glanced to her right and saw the towering KM tower piercing into the sky. The setting sun bathed the glass façade in a cascade of orange-red hues, making the massive building stand out like a golden pillar amidst the city's structures.
She suddenly remembered that the intermediate court where the hearing was held today wasn't far from the KM headquarters.
Would he still be at the office at this hour?
"Ashley?"
Before she could respond, Sean's voice gently prodded her.
"Hm? Right, Sean, you're a veteran, and I have a lot to learn from you."
Sean, who is only a few years her junior, remarked, "Your toughness and adaptability are impressive for your age."
They exchanged pleasantries as the car pulled up to the restaurant.
This was a renowned restaurant in Rochester, known for its by-appointment-only policy and limited seating, each dish a masterpiece. Ashley and her father, a veteran gourmet critic known for his discerning palate, along with her brother, had dined there often. And later...
Ashley shook her head; she was driving herself crazy. It was just a meal, yet her thoughts inevitably drifted to Damian. Was it because they had eaten here together a couple of times?
"Have you been here before, Ashley?" asked Sean, holding his hand politely on the car's roof as he opened the passenger-side door for her.
"With the pleasure of tasting the chef's creations still lingering on my mind, the fact that you scored us a table here is quite the feat, Sean."
Sean didn't beam with pride as he replied, "I represented one of the staff here in a legal affair, so I'm owed a certain level of favor."
A staff member? Probably someone at the management level.
They entered one after another, Sean giving his name to the host. A man in a light blue shirt led them through.
The dining hall they stepped into had no walls, allowing diners an unobstructed view of the water features, rockeries, and fish wading in the pond outside the railing. The golden reflection of the creatures shimmered across the water, mingling with the green bamboo, a sight pleasing enough to enjoy without even a bite.
Sean pulled out a chair across from him, “Please, have a seat."
Before sitting, Ashley's gaze was drawn to a figure ahead.
The man, wearing a slate-gray shirt without a tie and a ceramic watch band on his wrist, turned to face her with one hand on his phone and the other carelessly tapping the table.
His eyes, deep and inscrutable, held not a trace of impurity as they casually drifted in her direction.
Indeed, it's a small world filled with unexpected encounters, none more so than adversaries crossing paths.
