Chapter 9
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“Can you help me get my inheritance back 1 ask, testing his word. He said he doesn’t make unfair deals, which implies he’ll help me.
“I’ve arranged for a lawyer to meet with you tonight,” he tells me Surprised. Hook up at him. When had he done that it before I came to the room or had I missed the conversation while waiting for him to be finished with his work!
Ethan clears his throat and motions for the door. “He’s waiting, but if you do not agree to my terms, he not I will be able to help you.” Ethan states.
The decision is on me. If I agree. Lean get started on getting my mother’s money back. If I don’t agree, I will have to waste time finding a lawyer, and I’m already short on time as things are, Jack’s smirk and Jessica’s taunting laugh fill my senses. can’t let them win. Not after how they treated me
“I agree.” I tell him, laying the contract on the table and picking up the black pen he’d been using earlier. Without giving myself time to change my mind, 1 sign the papers.
“I’ll only give you a chance, not full help. You better seize the opportunity yourself,” Ethan says, and I nod. Some help is better than none. With this push, I can get back on my feet and have a good start for a new future.
“Thank you, Ethan.”
He nods and places a hand on my lower back, leading me out of the room. The lawyer must be waiting in another room because Ethan guides me down the hallway, but as we walk, I notice a familiar woman coming toward us.
Ethan’s secretary. Madison.
She approaches us with her head held high and her nose up, watching me with a disgusted, haughty expression.
“He’s waiting for you, Fiona,” Ethan tells me, pushing the door open further and nudging me in. “I’ll be in later.”
With that, he lifts his phone to his ear and walks away.
With a sniff, the secretary glances at me. Like the last time I met her, she looks me up and down before speaking. “Ethan once had a fiancé from a noble family whom he loved dearly. I look at her.
I stiffen at her words. Why is she telling me this? From what I’ve seen, she’s not the most competent worker.
“But they had a falling out, and even though she’s abroad now, they’ll surely rekindle their relationship soon.” The warning in her tone is clear, but with one hard look from me, she continues quickly, “You should leave Ethan before you end up abandoned–it’ll be miserable for you!”
Then, she lays a hand on my arm and pats it like she’s trying to console. I almost laugh to hide the discomforting idea that Ethan may get back together with this ex–finance, and I shove away the annoyance at Madison’s voice.
Instead, I stop and turn to the woman.
“Maybe you should worry more about your work than your boss’s personal life.”
Her jaw drops, and I enter the smaller room to find a well–dressed man sitting at a table with several papers in front of him It’s a bit awkward that he’s been waiting because Ethan didn’t know I’d accept his offer.
Ethan probably assumed I couldn’t refuse him, and he was right. After being turned down time and time again during the party by different lawyers from Silverclaw and other firms, 1 don’t have many other choices. This lawyer could be my last choice.
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Chapter 9
“Mrs. Aldridge, I’m Anthony Adair Mr Montgomery hige me for my specialty in Family and Estate Law, he introdures, holding out a hand for me to shake
rout
“Hi. Thank you for coming. I tell him, irting in the chair across from his “I really appreciate you being here. I’ve got a mess
of a case”
“I see that, Mrs. Aldridge. You’ve waited nearly too late to contact a lawyer,” Mr. Adair says, picking up some papers t
that were on the table. I happen to notice my name on the paper and a little further down. I see Jack’s name.
He must’ve gotten our information from Ethan beforehand, which will make this a bit easier since we don’t have to start
“I’ve found that you have a five–million–dollar inheritance, an older house that she was gifted by her parents, and a small house she retained from a charity auction,” he lists, and I nod. That is everything I know about.
“That’s correct, Mr. Adair. The older house was a family home for a while and holds many childhood memories of me and my mom.” I tell him. I didn’t realize the house was originally my grandparents.
“I’d been under the impression the older house belonged to my father”
“Without the will, I couldn’t tell you exactly, but I believe all three of the things I’ve listed have been left to you within the confines of the inheritance,” he tells me as he flips through the papers. The will
I remember the will reading after Mom’s death, but I’d been so upset that I can’t remember all the details. It should still be in the safe in my father’s office
“Will it help if I find the will and let you read the original contents?” I ask. If him having the will is going to help us win the case easier. I’d go into my father’s office and take it.
“I won’t lie. Mrs. Aldridge, this won’t be an easy case with the thirty–day timeline and strong opposition Mr. Aldridge will provide,” Mr. Adair admits, clasping his hands together. I nod, knowing this.
For all his faults, my husband is a good lawyer. He’s smart and calculating. It’s why he became a partner. He’s put in so much time and effort into his job that there’s no way he hasn’t been planning for this exact moment. He’s ahead of the game. meanwhile, we’re already ten steps behind.
Mr. Adair clears his throat, catching my attention again as he continues, “However, having your mother’s will could give us the boost we need, so I advise you find it and bring it in. A judge might not argue with the will of the deceased.”
The lock to the room chimes and Ethan walks in, followed by his secretary.
“Mr. Montgomery!” Mr. Adair jumps to his feet and eagerly shakes Ethan’s hand. “I’m honored that you’ve chosen me to help your woman with her case. I won’t disappoint you,
“Thank you, Mr. Adair. If you’re finished, my secretary will escort you out,” Ethan says. Mr. Adair thanks him, but the secretary doesn’t move. She merely stares dumbfounded at Ethan as he walks over to me and asks how the meeting went.
I offer a small smile and nod, answering. “It went well. I’ve got to find some paperwork at home and bring it to him.”
Ethan nods and places a hand on my back before turning to the door again. Except, instead of leaving like she was supposed to, his secretary is still standing there watching us. Ethan’s brows raise as she steps closer and grabs onto his arm more desperately than earlier.
“Mr. Adair,” Ethan says with a last nod. He brushes the secretary off, but she moves quickly and jumps in front of Ethan.
“I’ve stayed by your side for two years,” she cries, reaching out and throwing herself at Ethan. I jump to the side so I’m not knocked over by the crazy woman. He glares at her, but the fierce gaze doesn’t stop her from bringing out the crocodile tears. “You’ve never once looked at me, yet you’re spending so much time on a woman you’ve only met once! Why??”
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Chapter 9
I watch in surprise and pity as Ethan pushes the woman away
“You can’t choose her! The screeching cry she releases rapes at my eardrum
Desperate doesn’t even begin to describe this woman.
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