جميع فصول : الفصل -الفصل 1030

To avoid being alone with Simon, Laura suggested to the editor-in-chief, "Could Britney come along with me? She's been worried about securing a full-time position after her internship. If she writes a couple of articles on this, it might really help her solidify her place here."The chief agreed, "Sure! You used to be so reluctant to mentor new people. Seems like you've changed."Laura hadn't changed at all. She just figured that having another person present would make Simon less likely to try anything inappropriate.Meanwhile, a coworker, Doreen, overheard the conversation and clenched her fists. Doreen had joined the company two years before Laura, so if anyone deserved a promotion, it should be her. Why should it go to Laura?Britney was brimming with excitement. "Laura, thank you so much for this opportunity! I was really worried my trial articles were too basic to make a strong impression.""It's okay. We've all been there. You've worked hard," Laura encouraged her. The two

Laura knew perfectly well that her request was unreasonable. But she also knew that someone as clever as Simon wasn't afraid of an equally sharp opponent. What he feared was dealing with someone irrational because there's no logic in a person willing to go all out, like she was doing now.As expected, Simon smiled, though the smile didn't reach his eyes. He turned to Hailey and said, "Sorry, but I won't be able to go with you to pick up your parents tonight. I'm far too busy with work, and this interview was prearranged between our firm and the studio. This reporter has been waiting all day. It would be rude to send her away empty-handed."Hailey was taken aback. She never thought Simon would disregard her in front of Laura, who was a friend of her rival, Susan, and had openly argued with her last time. Hailey wasn't going to make a fool out of herself now.Hailey clung to Simon's arm tightly and argued, "No! We already agreed! My parents only come back a few times a year. She's just a

Meanwhile, Lionel asked Laura if she could stop by his law firm during her lunch break. She managed to visit him within the two-hour break."Ms. Scott, here's the situation. There's been a breakthrough in your father's case," Lionel said. "I have a friend whose uncle is one of the judges involved in the retrial."Laura couldn't contain her excitement. "Really? What do I need to do? Should I bring him something to smooth things over?"Lionel smiled. "You're quite sharp, Ms. Scott. When you ask for a favor, showing a little goodwill helps move things along.""So... How much are we talking about?" Laura hesitated, realizing that these things came with a price tag. She was already strapped for cash."My friend's uncle has a particular interest in antique paintings and calligraphy," Lionel said. "Recently, he had his eye on an antique teapot set, priced at over 400 thousand dollars.""That expensive?" Laura was conflicted. Before her family's bankruptcy, she could have easily afforded it, b

Simon's gaze darkened.Yes, he was indeed bothered by this. Laura even trusted someone like Lionel. And she would rather sell her necklace in a run-down part of town just to draw a clear line between them.How could the proud Simon let this slide?So, naturally, Lionel became his outlet for anger. But Simon didn't show it. "Who she chooses to go to is her business. And whatever you choose to do is yours."Lionel sneered. "It's strange, though. Why would Ms. Scott come to me with a top attorney like you around? Could it be that she knows you too well and sees that your reputation is just for show?"Simon chuckled. "How long do you think your firm could stay afloat if Laura weren't coming to you? From what I know, since your office opened in Haven City, her case has been your golden goose. Do you have any other valuable cases?"Only someone as gullible as Laura would believe in a flashy but incompetent lawyer like Lionel!Lionel flushed with anger, but he couldn't retort.Indeed, he hadn

Finn hadn't expected Laura to be Doreen's colleague.Doreen noticed that Finn's gaze was fixed on Laura and joked, "Finn, don't tell me you've taken a liking to my colleague?"Finn was confident in his charm and experience with women. He pulled out the chair next to him. "Why don't you sit beside me?"Laura frowned, wanting to refuse the playboy. But when her gaze met Simon's amused look, she sat in the chair Finn had pulled out in defiance.To Finn, this was a sign of agreement.The other colleagues also took their seats, and the once-empty table gradually filled with lively conversation. The editor-in-chief stood up to toast Simon, "Mr. Moore, we're honored that you found time in your busy schedule to join us. We hope you'll continue to favor our department in the future."Simon clinked his glass with the chief's, but he didn't drink. "Apologies, my stomach hasn't been feeling well lately, so I'm not drinking."His polite yet detached response only reinforced the sense that he was tr