Chapter 221 Encountering Damian in a Poor Rural Area
Lynn glared. "We're all law students here. You think you can scare me?"
Hendrix felt embarrassed, he couldn't take it anymore, worried Lynn would make things worse. "Come with me!"
He had thick skin, but he didn't want to be humiliated by her.
Lynn stood her ground.
Hendrix walked over, his long legs giving off a commanding vibe. "Come here!"
Lynn had no choice but to follow, gritting her teeth as she walked to the office. Passing Ashley, she felt an urge to step on her.
Ashley seemed to sense it and whispered, "Lynn, save your tricks for someone else."
Lynn's face went pale, and she muttered under her breath.
She realized the difference between herself and Ashley.
Ashley didn't cause trouble but was always prepared. Anyone who messed with her faced a fierce backlash.
It was her own poor planning, but she wouldn't admit defeat.
Hendrix closed the door and said bluntly, "Resign and leave Sky Balance Law Firm."
Forcing her out?
Lynn's heart raced. She couldn't resign. Where would she go if she resigned from here? The people she had offended only held back because of Hendrix. If they found out she had fallen out with him, they'd come after her. What awaited her then?
No! She couldn't go back to those days!
Lynn shouted, "I'm not resigning! Personal feelings and work are separate. I won't let my career suffer because of lost love. You have no grounds to fire me."
Hendrix was fuming. Was he crazy before, thinking Lynn and Ashley were similar?
Damn it! He wanted to slap himself.
Hendrix sneered, "Lynn, everyone should have a sense of dignity. You might not value your reputation, but I do."
Lynn said firmly, "Between survival and dignity, I choose survival. Without your help, my career will be tough, but I believe in earning my keep through my skills. I'd love your protection again, but that's not possible. I'll work hard and not bother you. If you don't want to see me, I'll report to Mr. Brin and Professor Lucien Foster."
"You..." Hendrix was at a loss for words. How could he encounter such a shameless woman? "Get out."
He had nothing more to say and just wanted some peace.
Lynn wiped away her tears and bowed. "Thank you, Hendrix. I'll repay you with my performance."
Hendrix pointed to the door. "Get out!"
When Lynn came out, a dozen pairs of eyes were on her.
Having gone through the most embarrassing moment, she didn't care anymore. "Sorry to disappoint everyone, but I haven't been fired and won't be leaving Sky Balance Law Firm. We'll still be colleagues, so let's keep personal and professional matters separate and work well together."
With that, she walked to her desk as if she had won a battle and continued working.
Juliana was stunned, and Riley's jaw dropped.
Should they curse her for being shameless or applaud her for her audacity?
Abigail Lee from the criminal team awkwardly smiled at Ashley. "Ashley, I'm sorry. We didn't know the truth and spread rumors..."
Others also apologized in time, "Sorry, Ashley, don't be mad..."
"Sorry."
"Ashley, you're nice. It was all a misunderstanding before. We'll support you from now on!"
This smear not only failed to bring Ashley down but also boosted her reputation in the firm. Colleagues who doubted she got ahead through her looks were now convinced.
Say what you would, her powerful aura, her steady mindset, and her speculative thinking were simply amazing.
The rumors died down, and Ashley returned to her office, feeling a bit dizzy looking at the bouquet of flowers.
It seemed she needed to tell Sean to stop sending flowers.
But stopping now would be awkward, too.
Damn it. She really wasn't good at handling emotional issues.
Fortunately, she was busy with Mark's will issue and had no time for anything else.
Near the end of the day, Harold returned to the firm after a court session and heard about the office drama from Juliana. He almost spat out blood.
He first went to Hendrix for confirmation, only to be scolded by Hendrix. "Too much free time, huh? Get lost."
Harold said, "You pursuing Ashley caused her so much trouble. Serves you right!"
Hendrix replied, "It's not easy for me either. Knowing she has someone but still can't control myself. Damn love is addictive."
What kind of values?
Harold grimaced. "Go to hell!"
When he saw Ashley, the first thing he noticed was the stack of files, piled high and blocking half her face.
Harold asked softly, "Ashley, are you okay?"
Ashley looked up, her eyes a bit puffy from staring at the computer for too long. "Not really."
Harold rushed over, worried. "Did you cry?"
Ashley frowned, wondering why he was gossiping, then tossed a file at him. "I dug into Mark's background and found something interesting."
Harold forced himself to switch gears and focus on work. After reading the document, he slapped the table. "Really? This happened?"
Ashley propped her chin on her elbow. "Mark committed a crime ten years ago and was prosecuted, but he was released due to special reasons. The court didn't specify what those reasons were, but the person who bailed him out back then is the real culprit this time."
Harold found a chair and slowly sat down. "This goes beyond a simple bail procedure. It involves a whole network from the prosecutor's office to the court."
Wait a minute. Lucien should have been able to find this out too, right? Why didn't he mention it? Did he not investigate, or did he not want to say?
Ashley nodded. "Mark had to die; otherwise, he would expose a series of real culprits behind the scenes. He probably wanted to report them and was framed for murder. Those people wanted to use legal means to silence him."
Harold said, "However, Lucien saved Mark, which also set the stage for his death."
Ashley said, "Since Mark had plans, he must have left clues. I guess he hid solid evidence somewhere."
Harold pondered, "To survive in that circle, you need leverage. Mark seemed simple-minded but was actually very meticulous."
Ashley made a quick decision. "I'll go to Mark's old home. People like him usually have childhood traumas, and their deepest pains and hatreds are buried in their hometown. If he left evidence, it should be hidden at home."
"I'll go with you."
Ashley said, "No. Your case hasn't reached a final verdict yet. It's not far; I can drive there in two and a half hours."
Harold really couldn't leave, so he didn't insist. Before leaving, he asked her, "Do you really have a recording?"
It scared Lynn so much that she spilled everything, her persona collapsing on the spot.
Ashley smiled faintly, her eyes bright. "Be careful what you say to me in the future. I not only hold grudges but also keep evidence."
Harold rubbed his arms. "Damn it, that's creepy."
The next day, Ashley drove nearly three hours to Watercloud Village.
Mark's old home was in a mountain village in a neighboring city, still impoverished. The village was scattered among the hills, with beautiful natural scenery but a lingering sense of poverty.
In recent years, road construction had benefited most farmers, even in poor mountain valleys, with asphalt roads built. However, the mountain roads were quite winding.
Most of the young folks had left the village, leaving only the elderly, the weak, the sick, and the pregnant.
A farmer was smoking at the village entrance, his coarse clothes and simple eyes showing curiosity and wariness toward the stranger.
Ashley wore casual sportswear, sneakers, and a low ponytail, trying to blend in, but to the villagers, she still stood out.
A young, pretty, fashionable city girl, and driving a car, which was undoubtedly an anomaly.
Ashley asked, "Hello, can you tell me where Mark's house is? I'm his friend, here to visit his mother."
As soon as she got out of the car, everyone stared at her. Her question made her the center of attention.
Feeling a bit uncomfortable under their gaze, Ashley smiled. "Although Mark passed away, his friends missed him very much. He was very diligent and well-liked at work."
The old man sighed deeply, holding his cigarette. "Mark was such a good kid, so kind and promising. But after he went to the city, he changed. City folks are bad!"
Ashley didn't argue, just smiled politely. "Can you take me to his house?"
The old man looked troubled, glancing at a high ground ahead. "Miss, there's only one house up there. Mark's mother lives alone. My legs aren't good; I can't walk up there. You'll have to go yourself."
"Alright, thank you."
Ashley estimated the height and distance, glad she was dressed comfortably.
Soon, she climbed the slope and saw a low house, three rooms connected to an even lower kitchen. It was lunchtime, and smoke was rising from the chimney.
The sight of the smoke was both beautiful and heartbreaking.
Mark's lonely mother must be longing day and night to reunite with her son.
If he hadn't broken the law, a harmonious and happy, albeit not wealthy, family would have awaited him.
Now, the old woman had lost her son; what a truly sad and pitiful situation.
Ashley composed herself and walked up the gravel path.
The path was unpaved, clearly pieced together with stones, full of potholes. How did the old woman walk on it?
The house had no walls, the fence was dilapidated, and the pitiful furnishings of the main room were visible at a glance.
Just as she was about to greet Mark's mother, she was startled to see a black figure sitting under a tall tree. The simple, worn-out stool was too small for him, so he had to cross his long legs. Despite his casual posture, his white shirt and black dress pants still exuded a noble air.
Ashley never expected to encounter Damian in this rundown yard.
