Sophie had officially passed her interview and joined Ascend Low Firm as a full–time associate.
Coincidentally, Jenny had just resigned from S&G Law Firm and joined Charlotte’s firm as well, so Charlotte assigned her to assist Sophie.
Both young women were bright, outgoing, and quickly hit it off.
For the H Corporation case, Charlotte had organized the evidence and drafted theint based on Scott’s suggestions.
That afternoon, just before the end of the workday, Charlotte received a call from her private investigator
“Miss Riley, I’ve got new information on Zac Gibson and Vivian Xander. Do you have time to meet today? I have something to give you.”
“I do,” Charlotte replied. “I’m about to finish up for the day. Meet me at the cafe near my office?”
“Got it.”
She gave him the address and said, “Let’s moet at six–thirty.”
“See you then, Miss Riley.”
Right after hanging up, Scott knocked and walked into her office
“Miss Riley, I was thinking about <b>what </b>my aunt said to you yesterday, and I feel I owe you an apology.
Charlotte raised an eyebrow. “It’s fine. I know she was just jolding. I didn’t take it personally.
“How <b>about </b>this,” <b>Scott </b>adjusted his sses with a <b>small </b>smile, “let me take you to dinner. Consider it my aunt’s formal apology.”
Charlotte chuckled. “That’s really not necessary. No need to be so formal.”
looked at her for a moment, hesitated, then rubbed the bridge of <b>his </b>nose. “Alright then”
“Oh, by the way.” Charlotte pulled out <b>two </b>thick legal case folders from her drawer. “We’ve taken on a few more cases. These two are in your area of expertise. I’m assigning them to <b>you</b>.”
Scott epted the folders and smiled. “New cases already? I should’ve known–when you say <b>business </b>wille, it does. I knew following you wouldn’t leave me starving
Π
Charlotteughed. “Is that all you’re aiming for? Just not going hungry?
“Open them and take a look.
Scott
flipped open one of the folders. It was a trademark dispute,
He skimmed the documents <b>quickly </b>and smiled. “Looks like <b>I’ve </b>already made back the money I spent on that winest night.”
Charlotteughed too. “Told you–you won’t lose out working with me
“Thanks,” Scott said as he packed up the materials.
After work, Charlotte packed up her desk and headed down to the nearby <b>cafe</b>.
She pushed open the ss door and walked in. In a quieter, she spotted a man dressed in ck with a baseball cap pulled low.
She walked over and sat down across from him. “Hello, Mr. Collins.”
The private investigator, Marcus Collins<b>, </b>nodded. “Good evening, Miss Riley.”
After exchanging greetings, <b>Marcus </b>opened <b>his </b>backpack and began rummaging <b>inside</b><b>. </b>
“These are photos I’ve taken recently of Zac Gibson and Vln Kander together,” he said, handing her a <b>brown </b>envelope.
Charlotte opened it and pulled out the photos. As <b>she </b>flipped through them, her lips curled into a cold smile.
So it’s true,”
“she murmured
“There’s more,” Marcus <b>added</b><b>. </b>“I recorded their conversation fromst night. I’ll send you the audio,”
Charlotte acted the file, put on her headphones, and pressed y.
Zac’s voice came through first.
“You tried to use me to get rid of Charlotte? You knew damn well <b>that </b>if we called the cops, Joseph would kill her, and you still pushed me to report it?!
<b>+25 </b>Bonus
Vivian responded coldly.
“So what if I <b>did</b>? I’ve wanted Charlotte Riley dead for a long time.”
“Vivian Xander! <b>You </b>told me you just wanted to break her and Sean up. You never said you wanted her dead!”
“That was
was then. Now, I want her gone. Once she’s dead, my brother will finally notice me.”
Charlotte’s expression darkened as she heard that. “Seriously? She wants me dead over a man? How pathetic,” she thought
Zac’s voice grew angrier.
“You’re insanel
Vivian’s voice snapped back.
“Look at you. Pathetic. No wonder Charlotte dumped you. Even after the breakup, she never gave you a second nce. You’re useless to me now. Our deal
is over.
“You’re not afraid I’ll tell Sean everything you’ve done?” Zac threatened.
Vivian burst outughing, loud and mocking. “Did I <b>hear </b>that right? Are you threatening me? Don’t forget who’s backing me. To Joseph, <b>I’m </b>worth for more than you. Think about it. If I lose value, if the Jaspers kick me out for what I’ve done, do you really think Joseph will let you walk away?”
The audio cut off.
Charlotte furrowed her brows.
She had already suspected Vivian had feelings for Sean and had some kind of secret dealings with Zac, so none of this surprised her.
But the fact that Vivian was working with Joseph? That changed everything
Charlotte leaned back, deep in thought
“Should I tell Sean about this<b>?</b><b>” </b>she wondered.
“Thank you,” she <b>said</b>. “I’ll transfer the payment to your ounts
“Got it,” Marcus nodded.
Meanwhile, in the study at Sean’s privatepound, he sat at his desk while his assistant Luke briefed him.
“Mr. Jasper, here are the results from the investipation you ordered on Miss Xander.” Luke turned theptop screen toward Sean and ced it on the desk
Sean scrolled through the documents, his expression growing darker by the second.
“Our people found that she’s been in frequent contact with Zac Gibsontely,” Luke reported. “And from what we’ve gathered, it was Miss Xander who urged Zac to call the police during <b>Miss </b>Riley’s kidnapping ”
Luke hesitated before continuing. “A few months ago, the Gibson Corporation was on the verge of bankruptcy. But then they suddenly received a huge Investment. We traced it back to an overseas firm. Its legal representative is linked to Chester, one of Joseph’s top men
Sean’s eyes shed with cold light at the name
“So Zac’s working for Joseph now too,” he said with a grim smile.
“There’s more Luke hesitated again.
“Spit it out,”
“Sean said<b>, </b><b>eyes </b>sharp.
“There’s a recording about Miss Xander.” Luke handed over his phone. “You’ll want to hear this yourself
Sean frowned and pressed y.