Chapter 51
Chapter 51
Running late for work, Audiey chose the white Land Rover.
Her decision wasn’t just about the price. The other two cars were clearly brand new, while at least they had driven the Land Rover yesterday, making it maybe ninety percent new
If Audrey accidentally scratched it, she’d feel less guilty.
After arriving at the office, Audrey immediately dove into work mode.
Clayton had taken Emilia to deal with John’s situation. Jade, eager to prove herself, had dragged Valerie to Stride Commerce.
“Our law firm has had a great working relationship with Stride Commerce in the past. All we need to do is show a good attitude and let them see our sincerity.”
Jade glanced at Valerie in the passenger seat. “If we can land this deal together, no one at the firm will are look down on you ag
again.”
“Jade, I can’t help Clayton, I don’t blame them for looking down on me. It was pretty embarrassing last time. Maybe I should just wait in the car, Valerie said, biting her lip with a hint of grievance.
Jade had no intention of bringing Valerie upstairs
Although Jade wasn’t aware of the exact details of the unpleasantness that day, she know it involved a conflict between Valerie and Audrey. In the end, Stride Commerce had produced surveillance footage that proved everything, leaving Valerie extremely embarrassed.
Even if Valerio didn’t care about others opinions, Jade couldn’t stand the feeling of being gossiped about behind her back.
The only reason Jade brought Valerie was to show Clayton her capability
If Jade could turn things around for the struggling firm, she might directly replace Emilia as the lead secretary.
“Alright, once i secure the deal with Stride Commerce, I’ll tell Mc. Patel that you had a part in it,” Jade said.
She pulled up to the entrance of Stride Commerce and got out of the car, leaving Valerie to drive to the underground garage.
Valerie hadn’t driven in a while and was a bit rusty. She struggled with the right angle turn, backing up and moving forward live times before finally
She circled around the basement level and finally spotted a parking spot. Another car followed closely behind her. Fearing the spot would be taken, Valerie rushed in without properly positioning her car.
With a bang, the car’s front end collided with a support pillar, Valerie broke out in a cold sweat. The car behind her honked teasingly and sped off to the second basement level.
Valerie, furious and frustrated, quickly got out to inspect the damage. Her headlights were cracked.
Fortunately, she had hit a pillar; if she had hit the white Land Rover parked next to it, the damage would have been much worse.
Valerie got back in her car, backed up, adjusted her angle, and tried again to park.
With another bang, the car jolted in her agitation, Valerie had mistaken the gas pedal for the brake. Her side mirror hit the Land Rover, breaking off and scraping a long mark down its side before finally stopping against the black car parked behind it.
Valerie was completely stunned. It took her a moment to react, and then she nervously called Clayton for help. “Clayton, Hi hit a car.”
18
20:47 Sat, 31 May
Chapter 51
At Stride Commence, Jade stepped out of the elevator and told the receptionist he was there to tee Paul
29%
The receptionist chec
ther schedule an
colimed that Jade didn’t have an Appointment. “I’m sorry Mr. Gabon is very bury you’ll need to make an
Jade handed her business card to the receptionist. “I’m from Misc khom Legal. We’ve had a long term partnership with Stride Commerce. If Hr. Gibson is bosy, “can wait.”
The receptionist didn’t dare make a decision on her own and called the secretary’s office. Edana checked with Paul and called back. “Have Ms. Baker
bike the call”
The receptionist handed the phone to Jade, who took it with a proud expression. “Hello, I’m Jade, an attorney from Blackthom Legal”
“an, Faker, Mi Gibson inked me to inform you that he has already made it very clear to Mr. Patel that Stride Commerce will no longer be partnering with Blackthorn Legal If you continue to visit uninvited, nor legal team will consider it harassment and take appropriate action,” said Edana.
Jade was shunned. Blackthorn Legal had been working with Stride Commerce for a year, handing both major and minor legal matters. She had visited
This was the first time they had flatly refused Jade. Their attitude was so decisive.
Jade fett a huge letdown, shocked, confused, and bewildered, but she still grasped the key point. “You’ve already partnered with another law firm?”
“Would you mind telling me which firm it is?” Jade asked.
“Samson Legal,” she replied.
Jade nearly lost her balance and staggered. Edana had already hung up.
Samon Legal was one of the top ten law firms in Moonridge, with branches in major first–tier cities.
its founder, Samson William, was the mentor who had brought Clayton to prominence.
Jade felt a wave of unease. There had always been rumors of a falling out between Clayton and his mentor, but there had been no concrete evidence to suggest a complete break.
Now, with Stride Commerce rejecting a partnership with Blackthorn Legal and hiring Samson Legal as their high–priced consultant, it seemed those
rumors had been confirmed
Samson had an impeccable reputation and high standing in the industry. If he spoke ill of Clayton, it could easily spell the end of Clayton’s career in law.
While there were many rumors circulating, Samson had never officially responded, neither confirming nor denying them. “Why did he suddenly swoop in and steal a major client from Blackthorn Legal Jade wondered,
Unable to reach Clayton by phone, Jade was eager to report this development to him and hurried to the underground garage.
“Where did you park the car?” Jade called out as soon as she got off the elevator. Her tone was sharp with anxiety.
“You knew Vally didn’t have a license, and you stillet her drive” Clayton’s angry voice came from both the phone and somewhere nearby behind her.
Jade froue in her tracks and turned around to sel Valerie clinging to Clayton’s arm, tearfully explaining, “Don’t blame Jade: She just wanted to quickly salvage the partnership with Stride Commerce, so she let me by the roadside”
Jade’s eyes widened in disbelief. She had always known Valerie was a manipulative liar. When Valerie used her schemes on Audrey, Jade didn’t care. She didn’t like Audrey either- an orphan who had no right to marry Clayton,
It seemed to Jade that making Audrey look had would make her look superior, But Jade couldn’t stand Valerie using the same tactics on her.
2/3
Chapter S1
FIT May
apped, “You claimed ten gear of deling experience on your resume How could you not know how to drive?
Lawyers oiles had to travel for work, and taking theis was inconvmerilent. Most repandens ofthel.
inuation, nwned their own vehicles
Morewer, when the had asked stene to do the car, Vaterie hadn’t mentioned that the couldn’t drive
cers
just asked her to do for a bit. Did she really have to tattle to Clayton? Jade thought to hersel
Vsterie shuddered, seemingly terrified,
( kept hiding in Clayton’sembrare. “Clayton, don’t blame Jade it’s affiny fauft. (vons afraid I wouldn’t know
how to dine and would embarrass you, and put ten years of driving experience on my resume.
Clayton frowned, wanting to pull valerie away from his side but thinking she might be genuinely cared and seeking refuge, so he let her stay
“your
your car fully insured?” Clayton asked Jade
Jade was about to say no when the saw the two cars almost touching each other. Her eyes nearly bulged out of her head.
Jade pointed at the white Land Rover and accused Valerie: “Did you do this?”
Valene’s tears streamed down hei
(almost beside)
en her face. “I really didn’t mean to The Land Rover was just too big, which only left a little space on this side
frustration. “So you had to park here? Couldn’t you have chosen somewhere else?”
Clayton’s face instantly turned cold “if you had parked the car yourself, this wouldn’t have happened. What right do you have to accuse her?
E
Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
