bChapter /bb45 /b

At first nce, Maxine already had a good impression of Urban. No one would dislike someone good looking and well mannered

After they sat down, Urban handed her a cup of coffee and ced it gently in front of het. His eyes shed with something unreadable. “Lucasente you before. I’ve heard a lot.”

Maxine nodded slightly and took a sip. “You’re being too kind. So… you’re a friend of Lucas?”

“Yeah, we went to grad school together. I studied finance, though, notw,” Urban said with a warm smile. “I know reaching out like this is a bit abrupt Originally, I was going to wait, like Lucas suggested. But honestly, I don’t really trust that guy to follow through. Plus, my case is… tricky.i” /i

The word “tricky” made Maxine pause.

After thinking for a moment, Maxine let out a quiet sigh. “Mr. Soto, it’s not that this is being brushed aside. There’s just too much on the te bright /bnoni, /iand there’s a real worry about not being able to handle your case with the attention it needs.”

“If you’re willing to wait, maybe half a month, then it’ll be possible to circle back and take it on. But if it’s urgent…” Maxine smiled politely. “Then unfortunately, there won’t be much help to offer.“.

Urban didn’t seem offended at all. Instead, he nodded calmly. “I get it. But you haven’t eaten yet, right? This ce has great food–authentic Southern cuisine. I’ve already ordered. You should at least try it.”

But ned.

Maxine couldn’t figure out what this Urban was thinking and unconsciously frowned.

‘If there’s no intention of pursuing the case today, why ask me for lunch?‘ Maxine thought.

Maybe Urban sensed the doubt. His smile deepened. “A good meal helps build rapport. We’ve never worked together beforeb, /bbut bI /bbelieve even one lunch can change that.”

Maxine was taken aback for a moment, and somehow found herself on the verge ofughing. She said, “Even if we be friends over lunch, there still won’t be time to take your case right now.”

“That’s fine,” Urban replied.

Then Urban poured her some coffee again and continued, “What are, you working ontely? Maybe if I knew, I could help. That way you wrap things up sooner and get to my case faster.”

Maxine’s smile faded slightly, and her gaze towards Urban was filled with a bit more suspicion.

Urban’s words crossed the iline/i, making Maxine very ufortable. She didn’t like being pryed into.

Maxine said calmly, “Just a case that needs more attention than usual. But there’s no need for help right now, and I’m afraid it can’t be discussed either. Sorry.”

With that, Maxine decided it was time to leave. She stood up. “Thank you, but I’ll skip lunch. There’s something else that needs to be handled-”

“You’re looking into Gabriel from Jeson Construction, aren’t you?” Urban said casually, but the wordsnded like a hammer.

Maxine froze in ce, stunned.

The room fell silent. Urban remainedposed and said slowly, “Just heard some things. Wasn’t trying to dig. Plus, I’ve worked bwith /byour husband, Sebastian, before. iSo /ithere’s a bit more ess than usual.”

Maxine took a deep breath. “So what exactly are you trying to say, Mr. Soto?”

Urban smiled again. “Nothing much. Just that Gabriel and I are close. If help’s needed on that case, it’s something I might be able to provide.

b09:11 /bbWed/b, b18 /bbJun /b

“Let’s be honest flipping a case like that takes money and connections. And now that your marriage with Me Mason is on the rocks, doing if ne might

bbe /bhard.

“I can help you. But first, I need you to win mine.”

八

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