Chapter 311 Asking for Favors Requires Price
Zachary glanced at her, his noble and reserved demeanor still intact despite his casual home attire. "You need something from him?"
"Yeah," Winona replied, "I want him to help my friend's brother with a lawsuit."
"Rebecca?" Zachary asked. She didn't have many friends, and even fewer she'd rush out for in the middle of the night. "What kind of case?"
"Self-defense, but now the other party is accusing him of intentional injury."
Zachary raised an eyebrow. "He doesn't take criminal cases."
Anthony had carved his niche in the realm of financial disputes, tackling cases with slim chances of success but yielding substantial rewards. As the legal architect at the esteemed Bailey Group, his reputation attracting a clientele of affluence and distinction.
Winona's brow furrowed in silent contemplation, a subtle bracing of her resolve. This wouldn't be a walk in the park. If he didn't take cases like this, there was no way she could negotiate.
"What if you ask him?"
Zachary's expression softened instantly, a gentle smile spreading across his handsome face. "Want me to help?"
Winona looked at him, lips pressed together. "Will you help?"
Zachary furrowed his brows, speaking slowly, "He has shares in the Bailey Group. We're just partners. I can't force him to take a case he doesn't want. This isn't the old days. Everyone has the right to choose."
His face held a teasing smile, his demeanor casual. Winona always felt like he was deceiving her, setting traps for her. "A criminal case is more challenging than a divorce case, isn't it? It gets more attention and can expand his reputation."
"And it's easier to get attacked," Zachary said lightly, "People involved in these cases, the losing side either goes to jail or pays up. There's always a few with bad tempers who like to blame the lawyer and seek revenge."
Winona frowned at him, her face cold. "Howard is the victim. Those people not only bullied his girlfriend but also ganged up on him and even harassed his girlfriend in front of him. Any man would snap in that situation. Even if he wins the case, it's justified. How can the other side feel wronged and seek revenge?"
"If they cared about justice, they wouldn't have done it in the first place."
That made sense, and Winona had no rebuttal.
She glared at Zachary angrily and turned to leave.
Zachary sighed and grabbed Winona as she was about to go. "Can't you be a little patient? I didn't say I wouldn't help, but this isn't something that can be solved in a few words. At least let me come in and sit down."
Winona thought for a moment and then stepped aside to let him in.
She didn't overestimate herself to think she could succeed where Rebecca's seduction had failed. She wasn't close to Anthony, and they had no personal relationship.
The room was filled with the familiar scent of Winona. The bed was unmade, clothes for tomorrow hung on a rack, and a light-colored suitcase stood in the corner.
All the guest rooms at Regal Oaks were uniformly decorated, with matching furniture—elegant and luxurious, like cold model homes. But now, just because she was living in it, Zachary no longer felt that coldness.
He plopped down on the sofa, bouncing slightly. "More comfortable than the master bedroom."
Winona asked. "Can we talk about the emergency at hand now?"
Zachary raised an eyebrow, half-smiling. "Winona, are you really that naive, or just pretending? Asking for favors comes with a price. I can get Anthony to take Rebecca's case, but I have conditions."
"What conditions?" Winona had a hunch but needed to hear it. Maybe he was a gentleman, and she was just being cynical.
Zachary leaned back, looking relaxed. "Either you move to the master bedroom, or I move into this room."
Winona glared at him. "Zachary, don't push it."
Zachary spread his hands, showing he respected her decision. "You can refuse."
He saw her still-angry face. "I'll sleep on the sofa. I've been having trouble sleeping lately. Except for the night before last, I haven't had a full night's sleep in a long time. So I want to see if it's a health issue or a matter of company."
"What if you still can't sleep?"
"Then I'll probably have to..."
He paused, his gaze sweeping over the two-meter-wide bed before lowering his eyes, hiding any other thoughts. "Go to the hospital for some medication."
Winona thought for a few minutes, her fingers unconsciously rubbing her phone. "You can move in, but let's be clear. You sleep on the sofa. Any funny business, and you're out like a light - got it?"
Zachary couldn't help but laugh.
How could innocence still thrive in a world so cunning? Threats like that had little sway over a man determined to pursue his desires, regardless of the consequences.
But not wanting to anger her further, Zachary didn't say anything to provoke her, suppressing the smile that had already formed and responding with a serious and earnest "Okay."
Winona said, "Call Anthony."
Zachary dialed Anthony's number. He was still awake. "Mr. Bailey, what's up?"
"Can you get Rebecca's brother out?"
Anthony put down his pen. "I don't take criminal cases, and I'm busy right now."
Howard's case was complicated. His girlfriend had been bullied, but he didn't call the police. Instead, he confronted the bullies, got beaten up, and then stabbed someone. The chances of it being ruled as mutual combat were high.
Zachary coldly said, "If you're busy, make time. If you need more assistants, hire more. Let them handle the preliminary work. A few more court appearances won't kill you."
Anthony was a bit annoyed, likely from overwork and lack of sleep. "I'm handling several international merger contracts and finalizing terms with the Turner family. Now you want me to take a criminal case? Other people chase women with drama and passion. You chase women by exhausting everyone around you for your amusement?"
Zachary thought for a moment. "Forget the Turner family case for now. Handle Rebecca's brother's case first. I'll have HR hire you two more assistants tomorrow."
He glanced at Winona's outdoor attire. "Your client isn't in a good mood right now. Go see her and get the details."
As soon as he finished speaking, Anthony hung up the phone without a word.
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