When we got home, Mrs. Dune had whipped up some pasta and a few snacks. As I was eating, I could hear the chicken soup bubbling away in the kitchen.
“Mrs. Dune, you don’t need to rush around for me. I’m stuffed with all the food you prepared. Besides, it’s late, and you should get some rest too.”
“It’s no trouble at all, Ms. Stanhope. I’m at that age where I tend to sleep less anyway. Besides, Mr. Stanhope and Mr. John are still awake in the study too. I believe they’re not sleeping so early tonight as well. I’ve prepared some chicken soup for them so they won’t starve later.”
I pondered her words and stayed silent. After I had filled my stomach, I went upstairs.
As I walked past the study, I was surprised that it was quiet. I paused my track and decided to knock on the door.
Knock! Knock!
“What are the two of you talking about?”
The only thing that could give both Louis and John a headache was Ezra’s syndicate. It was also a topic where I could contribute little to the discussion.
At my entrance, John got up and gave me his seat. “Uncle Louis is thinking of indicting some members of Ezra’s syndicate who are in the department. To send a message of warning.”
Louis nodded with a serious expression. “Ezra’s syndicate has remained powerful in K City over the years, thanks in part to the support from the Zieglers and the Trivetts. We need to think carefully before making our next move, or they might strike our weak point again.”
When Louis was taken away for interrogation for over a month, his group of trusted officials had suffered greatly in his absence. As Ezra took the opportunity to restructure several departments, now, the departments that had actual acting power were almost wholly under Ezra’s control. The officials who really wanted to help the citizens suddenly had no means to carry out their plans. Louis was furious at the change, which led to his impassioned speech when he finally returned home.
Their concern was warranted. They had to be more cunning if they wanted to defeat an enemy like Ezra and force him into a dead end.
“Our biggest problem is the promotion next year that Ezra has in his sights. He’s going to be desperate, and I’m worried that the Featherstones’ tragedy might repeat itself if he takes extreme measures to secure his position,” Louis sighed deeply.
Years ago, Anthony’s parents had been framed as the scapegoats for Ezra and a few prominent families in K City. It eventually led to their deaths. That tragedy meant that Louis was naturally cautious about his actions when dealing with Ezra.
Like Anthony had said, though, excessive caution would only allow them to behave even more lawlessly. Facing them head-on is inevitable. The only thing we can do is to reduce the number of people caught in the crossfire. If we don’t act now, our future generations will suffer under them as well.
“Uncle Louis, can I say something?” I finally blurted after some hesitation.
“Of course. What’s on your mind?”
“Well, here’s what I think. If I remember correctly, the promotion process and the candidate details are supposed to be announced to the public. In that case, can’t we do the same for those corrupt members in the department? We can show the entire trial procedure online through the official channels. The public can be the judge.” Strength in numbers may even bend the law, and it might be a good strategy to catch them unawares.
Ezra may be powerful, but even he is no match for public outcry.
Louis’s expression changed as he mulled over my suggestion.
Meanwhile, John looked at me as the joy he had displayed in the car returned to his demeanor. “I guess it’s really different once you become a lawyer. Even the way you look at things is craftier.”
I rolled my eyes. “Are you trying to say that I was dumb before? That doesn’t really come across as praise, you know.”
“You’re just imagining things.” John walked over and leaned on the desk. He teased, “You’re my sister. I’m always proud of you, and I mean every word that I said.”
“Letty, have you started your legal apprenticeship?” Louis changed the topic abruptly. “Which law firm did you go to?”
“Tinsel Group,” I answered. After a moment’s thought, I added, “But my first day at work was rather unpleasant. I was wondering if I should transfer to another law firm. I haven’t signed any contracts, so it’s not too late for me to change my mind.”
“Why are you still thinking about that? Just buy yourself a brand new law firm and be the boss. Then you won’t need to do overtime,” John voiced.
John never blinked an eye at his spending, no matter how extravagant the sum. His nonchalance with his wealth was exceptionally obvious in this situation.
“Stop joking around. Legal apprentices can’t go around opening their own law firms. You think I can just hire some bigshot lawyers and their apprentices or something?” I knew he had good intentions, but I needed to nip this impossibility in the bud.
Louis hadn’t uttered a single word until now. When I finally looked at him, I realized he had knitted his brows in contemplation.
John followed my gaze. He didn’t hesitate before he opened his mouth. “Uncle Louis, what are you thinking about?”
Louis came to with a jerk. Sighing, he said tiredly, “That law firm has helped the Zieglers and the Trivetts with countless cases in the past. If we really go to court, I don’t think any lawyer we have could win someone from Tinsel Group.”
“No wonder Tinsel Group has been giving me so many special privileges to keep my apprenticeship. Turns out they had ulterior motives all this time.” I was stunned at the revelation.
I should’ve thought of this sooner. Tinsel Group’s the best law firm in the country, and they must’ve helped Ezra and his lobbyists to clean up a bunch of his dirty acts. They probably gave me such good benefits to entice me to stay, so that I would become entangled in their dirty acts. Then, they could use that to manipulate the Stanhope family.
An image of Zander flashed through my mind. He had always looked like a young man on track to fulfilling his dreams of exacting justice. He may have seemed wooden, but that wouldn’t have stopped him from becoming an impressive lawyer. What a pity he’s dirty like the rest of them. Alas, he can only be a lackey to their wrongdoings.
“Then, you shouldn’t report to work tomorrow, Letty. It may seem peaceful out there, but it’s a bloody battlefield. It’s much safer to stay at home,” John cut in.
“John, don’t be such a drama queen. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve gone out, yet I still got into trouble. If it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be. I can’t keep hiding forever or be a burden to our family. I’m sure they’ve excluded kidnapping from their future agenda after my last incident. I need to do my part too. I can’t just stay at home alone and come up with imaginary scenarios in my head.”
I knew I came across as harsh, but I wasn’t mad at them. I only wanted to motivate myself.
“I’ve given it some thought. Since Tinsel Group is so chummy with the Zieglers and the Trivetts, I have to keep my job there.” I used my most serious tone as I conveyed my intentions.
Dragging me into their dirty deals might not be as easy as Tinsel Group thought. I was determined to make them feel like they had lured a wolf into a rabbit’s den at the end of it.
“I’m glad that you want to help us. At the same time, I don’t want you to enter the lion’s den,” John cautioned.
“John’s right. Since they know who you are, they’ll have their guards up. Besides, you’re unhappy there, so why don’t you transfer to another law firm? You can still become an impressive lawyer then,” Louis added.
I opened my mouth in retort, but before I could say anything, I let out a few deep, hacking coughs. My throat and eyes itched painfully.
What started as a mild cough soon became uncontrollable. When John realized that something was wrong, a salty, metallic taste had made its way up my throat. I spat out some blood on the ground before me and the last thing I heard was John calling out to me.
“Letty!”
“You b*stard! Didn’t you say it wasn’t fatal? Why did you lie to us? I’m going to kill you!”
“John, calm down! We’re at the Stanhope residence. If you really harm him, you’re going to drag Uncle Louis with you into the mess.”
As I came to, I heard John and Emma arguing loudly. I slowly opened my eyes to Anthony’s face. He was peering at me, concern evident in his eyes.
“What happened?” I croaked.
“Letty?” John pushed aside the elderly doctor he had been threatening in his haste to reach my side. I was greeted by the sight of his bloodshot eyes. “You’re awake. Thank god, you’re awake.”
“Why is it so noisy?” I began to regain some of my strength. Anthony helped me sit up against the bed.
After I regained my composure, I took in the scene before me. The doctor who had treated me in M Country was here.
He avoided my gaze. They seemed to agree on keeping me in the dark regarding the severity of my situation. I didn’t have to be an idiot to tell that something was very wrong. After all, John’s expression gave everything away. The last time he looked like this was when he was breaking up with Hannah.
“Can you all leave the room first? I’d like to spend some time with Anthony alone.”
A patient’s word was always the sacred decree. As such, John shooed everyone out of the room in a second. Now, Anthony and I were alone.
Anthony poured a glass of warm water for me, gently coaxing me to take small sips. He sat down later and started peeling an apple wordlessly. I watched the long string of peel, mesmerized at its perfection.
He always does things perfectly, even when it comes to small things.
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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