THREE

"LET ME get this straight," Brad said through clenched teeth, struggling to keep his anger in check. "You made me come all the way from LA on short notice to defend your son for sexual harassment?"

The last two words escaped his mouth like explosives.

Are these people kidding me right now?

He wasn't supposed to be here. He was supposed to be spending time with his daughter today as he'd promised.

His little princess was the only person he lived his life for, ever since his ex-wife walked out from their lives.

His ex-wife! The thought of that woman fueled his temper.

In his eyes, she had been the perfect woman for him. Clever, stunningly pretty, and, best of all, a total Sci-Fi fanatic like himself. They used to talk for hours about the things they both loved, laughing over tall tales from all of the exotic places that they had visited. They had been inseparable.

It was hard for him to believe that their beautiful relationship had ended so badly. . . and in betrayal, but he'd had to put himself together real quick for the sake of his daughter. Since then, he'd played the father and mother role to the best he could.

His daughter was simply the sweetest thing on earth and they'd become the best of friends. However, their relationship was beginning to strain by the day due to his failure to be present where and when she expected him to be.

Just like today, he'd promised to make it up to her by spending the whole day with her, doing all the fun things she wanted them to do together but here he was. . .

When Brad heard about their emergency, he decided to come in person, instead of providing one of the law firm's best lawyers because he knew them personally.

The Baudelaire were old acquaintances of The Bruces family from time immemorial and turning to one another for help when they were at an impasse came naturally to them.

But this was the height of it!

Brad Bruce wasn't just any ordinary lawyer. In the fast-paced world of international law, he was a force to be reckoned with.

Having graduated from Harvard Law School with top honors, he was a lawyer of unparalleled talent and in his seventeen years of practice, he had never lost a case. Not even one.

And to crown it all, he was the president of Renaissance Law, one of the largest law firms, globally.

He was in a league of his own. A formidable force in the courtroom and his success was a testament to his brilliance and tenacity.

Not only that, he was well known for his unwavering principles and his refusal to defend criminals under any circumstances, but these people wanted him to compromise all that.

They must be out of their mind.

"Sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Baudelaire, but I don't defend people like your son," he said, rising from his chair.

Laurent Baudelaire rushed to Brad's side, a frantic look in his eyes. "Our company's stock price is plummeting," he said, his voice cracking with panic. "We've been trying to take down the viral video, but no matter what we do, it keeps popping back up on the top of real-time search results. It's like wildfire spreading through the metaverse." He paused, his breath shallow. "They have control over the press, and they know how to use it to their advantage. It's insane and terrifying all at once."

Seeing the desperation apparent in the old man's eyes, Brad felt a tiny twinge of pity for him.

"We're facing a PR nightmare," Laurent continued, his face pale. "They're using social media to spread a narrative that we're a shady company. We're being painted as villains, and I don't know how to stop it."

Brad was both in awe and impressed. He knew The Boudelairs well. He knew how ruthless and vulpine Laurent himself was and this was the first time he'd ever seen him shaking in his feet.

Whoever was the president of the D&M Agency was really an imposing presence to make this arrogant tycoon quiver in fear.

Whatever their secret was, it was certainly working in their favor.

Still, Brad remained firm, his expression resolute. "I understand that you're in a difficult situation," he said, his voice gentle but firm. "But I cannot in good conscience defend your son when he has done something so wrong. I have a duty to the law. I cannot be a part of something like this."

Laurent's face crumpled, and he looked away, unable to meet Brad's gaze. He knew that the man was right, but he couldn't help but feel a wave of despair. "But. . . you have to help me," he said, his voice cracking.

Brad sighed, sliding his hands into his pockets as his gaze drifted to the cause of this crisis, who sat on the couch opposite him, engrossed in his phone.

He sat with his right ankle crossed over his left knee, wagging his Italian-shod foot and appearing unbothered by the world around him.

Antoine Boudelair, the heir of the Boudelair empire.

The twenty-two-year-old had always had a reputation for being a troublemaker. There were whispers of scandals and indiscretions, all of which had been hushed up through money or influence. He seemed to delight in pushing the boundaries, whether through his excessive partying or his reckless spending. He was like a walking hurricane, leaving chaos and destruction in his wake. But despite it all, he seemed untouchable, protected by the vast wealth and power of his family.

Brad watched the young man in disgust. He was so unconcerned and unapologetic, that it was almost surreal. It was as if he didn't understand the gravity of what he had done. He couldn't wrap his head around how someone could be so callous and unrepentant.

He wanted to take a swing at him so badly that his knuckles tingled. Deliberately, he unclenched his fist before he could use them on something, or someone.

Brad inhaled deeply, allowing the breath to course through his body, then sank back into his chair. "You need to understand that your son's actions have consequences, and he cannot escape them," he said, addressing the father. "However. . ."

"However. . .?" The older man's face lit up.

Frowning, Brad drummed his fingers on the table. "However, if you want to survive this disaster, I'd advise you to settle with the victim and apologize. You need to make it clear that you do not condone your son's actions and he has to make sure it never happens again." He laid out his suggestion, his tone direct and firm. "I know this is not what you want to hear, but it's the best way to begin to repair the damage that has been done."

Laurent remained silent as his mind raced. He knew that Brad was right, but it was so hard to accept. Apologizing and making amends was the last thing he wanted to do, but he also knew that it was the only way to protect his company and his family's name.

He sighed in resignation and glanced at his son, who was still completely indifferent to the situation. "We will do as you suggest," he said finally. "We're going to settle out of court and apologize."

"WHAT?!"

Now, that got Antione's attention. His expression was scrunched up in plain disgust and disapproval.

"No way am I apologizing to that bitch! She doesn't deserve my apology," he snapped, his voice brimming with indignation. "She totally led me on, like totally flirted with me and stuff, and then she's all like 'Oh no, stop! I can't do this.'" He rolled his eyes, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Besides, it's not like I even did anything terrible to her. She's totally blowing it out of proportion. Look at my face. . ." he pointed at the band-aid stuck on his face, concealing a slash that he'd gotten from the fight. "If there's anyone that should be suing and receiving apologies, it should be ME!"

Brad couldn't hold it back anyone. His temper was bubbling. This kid was seriously triggering his anger issues.

"SHUT THE HELL UP, YOU INCORRIGIBLE SCAMP!" He exploded abruptly in loud a revibrating voice, causing both father and son to flinch backward.

That was all he could do not to close the space between them, flip him over, and paddle his behind with that Katana hanging on the wall right above him.

"Scamp. . .?" Antoine repeated slowly as if he couldn't believe his ears.

He rose to his feet and narrowed his eyes at Brad, seething with resentment. "Did you just call me a scamp? Dad? Who the fuck is this guy?!"

"SHUT UP!" Now, it was his father's turn to yell. "Haven't you cost enough trouble to last me a lifetime? Now, of everyone you had to go against it just had to be the D&M Agency. Do you know how much we're losing all because of this? When will you grow up? Maybe you should just get locked up then you'd understand the weight of what you've done."

He pouted, his lips pursed in a petulant frown. "Ugh, Dad! This is so unfair!" He retorted. "I've done nothing wrong to apologize for. That cheap slut just wants to ruin my life over—"

PAAAAA!

The patience of his father finally snapped, and he struck his son hard across the face, knocking him backward into the chair.

"You will apologize," he said through gritted teeth. "Your actions have caused harm, and you need to take responsibility for that. Your behavior is unacceptable, and I will not tolerate it anymore. Do you understand me?"

Antoine's eyes widened in fear, and he cowered back, shrinking under his father's furious glare. Then, in a flash of rage, he sprang up from the couch and stormed out of the room, slamming the door behind him.

Brad smiled inwardly in dark pleasure. His satisfaction as he watched all that drama unfold was palpable.

Laurent shook his head, his eyes still fixed on the door through which his son had just stormed out. He ran a hand through his hair, blonde with a generous sprinkling of gray.

"I'm sorry, I should have been more strict with him," he said to Brad. "I didn't want him to grow up spoiled, but I may have gone too far in the other direction." Apparent regret glazed across his face. "I only wanted what was best for him."

"It's okay! You'll work something out, eventually," Brad replied impassively.

He already had enough on his plate without worrying about someone else's parenting skills, or lack thereof.

He rose from his seat, grabbing his briefcase. "I'll get in touch with the D&M Agency's lawyer and we'll set up a meeting. Hopefully, we'll get this all resolved and you will get your son the HELP he needs."

His voice was calm and reassuring but underneath held a significant message he hoped the older man would grasp.

"Thank you, Brad, for coming. . . and my apologies, for all the trouble," Laurent said, stretching forth his arm, his words sincere. "I can't tell you how much this means to me."

With a polite nod, Brad clasped his hand in a firm handshake. "I'll be in touch as soon as I've spoken to the D&M Agency's lawyer," he said. "You take care, Mr. Baudelaire, and don't hesitate to keep me posted."

And with that, he turned and left the office.

Brad let out a long-suffering sigh as he stepped into the elevator, and pressed the button for the ground floor, watching as the doors closed, sealing him in the small space. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the wall, letting the quiet hum of the elevator lull him into a state of peacefulness.

The day had been nothing but a rollercoaster, and he was eager for it to be over.

All he wanted was to return home to his family. His thoughts were already turning to booking the first flight out of here, to get back to the familiarity of LA.

This was the last thing he'd ever sign up for, but now that he was here, he might as well get through with it.