CHAPTER 119: CHAPTER 118: REVENGE FOR EVERY GRIEVANCE

On Monday, Sienna Thornton got up early for a few laps, made herself a nutritious breakfast, and only went to work after eating.

As soon as she arrived at the office, Rochelle Linwood knocked and entered: "Lawyer Thornton, SY’s people are already here, in the small meeting room."

Sienna glanced at the digital clock on the desk, "So early? It’s not even ten o’clock." She put down her bag, picked up the materials, and called Rochelle to go over together.

She entered with her usual gentle smile but froze when she saw the man at the head of the long table.

Her smile disappeared for a few seconds, then she smiled again, greeting Attorney Lowe to the man’s left: "Attorney Lowe, hello, I’ve heard about you for so long. When I was studying at Braden University, professors often mentioned you."

She was beautiful, well-built, and spoke softly. Being flattered by such a high-level beauty lawyer, Attorney Lowe felt as if he was basking in the spring breeze, almost forgetting he was old enough to be her father. His tone was much lighter than usual, not at all like an experienced senior lawyer.

"Yes, yes, I agree, this act on our side is indeed wrong, and we should indeed apologize," Attorney Lowe rambled on, "I have also advised Mr. Forrester, this reconciliation condition is simply too favorable..."

Harrison Rowe silently prayed for him in his heart.

Sienna glanced at Simon Forrester, whose face was completely dark, and awkwardly laughed to Attorney Lowe: "I wonder what your client is thinking now? You see, we’ve been talking for over two hours. Wouldn’t it be more efficient to discuss the result today?"

"Yes, yes," Attorney Lowe looked at her with a smile, "that’s right, our side is willing to compensate DK Company five million dollars and issue an apology statement in the name of the company, with the official seal. Lawyer Thornton, do you think this is okay?"

Sienna shook her head, looking troubled: "My client doesn’t care about compensation. The only demand is a public apology from your company’s legal representative, lasting no less than ten minutes."

Attorney Lowe deflected: "We’re willing to apologize, indeed. But as you know, this is company-to-company behavior; it’s simply unreasonable to have a legal representative come out and apologize. Don’t you think?..."

These lines were said no less than ten times in the morning, and as the back-and-forth continued, Simon Forrester lost patience, gesturing for Attorney Lowe to stop talking.

He sat upright, fingers interlocked on the table, quietly watching Sienna for a few seconds. Her gaze was very cold, devoid of warmth, just like when they first met.

His heart suddenly felt uncomfortable. After calming himself a bit, he said: "Let me give you a bottom line, ten million US dollars and a written apology."

Sienna withdrew her gaze, noting it down in a paper notebook, writing while speaking: "Alright, then let’s end today’s reconciliation meeting here? I’ll relay Mr. Forrester’s demands to my client and see how it goes before notifying Attorney Lowe, okay?"

"Of course, of course." Attorney Lowe stood up with a smile, wanting to shake hands with Sienna.

Sienna pretended not to see, lowered her head to pack up, but after she was done, Attorney Lowe’s hand was still hanging in the air, waiting for her handshake.

Embarrassed, she had to extend her hand, intending to shake briefly and let go. Just before her hand reached Attorney Lowe’s, a pair of slender, pale, and well-proportioned hands intervened, firmly grasping hers.

Realizing it was Simon Forrester forcefully shaking her hand, she instinctively tried to pull away, but he held so tightly that she discreetly struggled twice, glaring at him in warning.

Simon held her gaze for a full ten seconds before letting go, tickling her palm before releasing.

Her face flushed instantly.

Simon chuckled and left.

Attorney Lowe no longer concerned himself with shaking hands with Sienna, grabbed his file bag, and left as well.

Harrison Rowe, his heart pounding, retrieved the car to first take Attorney Lowe back to the law firm and then return to the design institute with Simon Forrester.

As soon as the car entered the main road, Attorney Lowe began: "I didn’t even know Vantage had such a beautiful female lawyer. Is she new? I’ve never seen her before! That figure, oh dear..."

Driving, Harrison kept signaling with his eyes, but Attorney Lowe didn’t notice and continued: "Seems like she’s from Braden University too. If I had known, I should have gone there to teach a course those years. Maybe I could have... hehe!"

"Maybe could have what?" Simon Forrester suddenly asked sternly from the backseat.

Attorney Lowe chuckled sleazily: "Girls like her, if they’re well-off, you give them love; if not, you use money! Usually, with this kind, you could win them over in less than a month..."

Suddenly, a sharp brake, Harrison pulled over to the roadside, yelling at Attorney Lowe: "Lowe! Simon and I are headed elsewhere, you’re getting off here and heading back to the firm on your own!"

After speaking, he got out from the driver’s seat, opened the passenger door, unfastened Attorney Lowe’s seatbelt, and bundled him out with his bag.

The car restarted on its route.

The man in the backseat said nothing, asked nothing, remaining quietly.

A moment later, he made a phone call: "Miles Lowe, a practicing lawyer at Veridian Legal, check if there are any issues with women, and if there are, send photos and videos to his wife and father-in-law."

Harrison silently prayed for Attorney Lowe.

Returning to the design institute, Simon Forrester entered his office with a dark expression, not saying a word.

Harrison went to report to Logan Lockwood about the matter. Upon hearing there was no progress at all, Logan was nearly fretting his hair white, given it was his inefficiency that gave DK an opportunity.

The two discussed the reconciliation details from the morning when Logan suddenly asked: "Hey, wait a minute! Doesn’t Lawyer Thornton have some sort of rapport with Mr. Forrester? Can’t she say something on our behalf about this?"

"Ah, don’t mention it..." Harrison explained how he had approached Sienna on Saturday.

Before he could hear Logan’s opinion, the door swung open, and Simon Forrester entered with a murderous expression.

Harrison was so startled he hid behind Logan.

Simon looked at him icily, beckoning, "Come here yourself!"

...

"I only said, asking her to help us navigate this PR crisis for the sake of the homestay project..."

"Speak plainly."

Sweating nervously, Harrison shrank his neck, biting his lip: "And didn’t she promise when asking for your help initially, to assist you with any unsolvable cases?"

Simon’s gaze pierced like a blade, his tone cold: "How do you know about this?"

"..." Harrison was near tears, "Last time in the records room, I accidentally saw you laminating Lawyer Thornton’s handwritten IOU."

Simon sat heavily back in his chair, exhaling a long sigh, staring into space, lost in thought. A moment later, he raised his hand, "Come over."

Harrison cautiously approached the desk, head lowered, bracing for impact.

Unexpectedly, Simon merely said calmly: "You! Half of your year-end bonus is docked! Also, contact DK immediately, I want to personally negotiate the settlement!"

Harrison was briefly stunned, not pained by losing half his bonus, but pondering what terms Simon would use to settle.

But he had no time to ponder, as Simon, already enraged, snatched a folder off the table, threatening to hit him, sending him scurrying in fear.