Chapter 3

Alec's POV

At exactly 11: 15 AM, I left the company, heading straight to T&H law firm where I had an appointment booked with the lawyer that would be handling my company's new project case and the challenging issues we have at hand.

Edwardo, my trusted personal assistant, had gone with me to the lawyer’s office but when we arrived at  T&H Law firm, he settled  in the car, waiting for my return.

A lady with sharp blue eyes beckoned me to follow her . We walked inside the elevator before we emerged through the hallway lined with numbered doors.

She led me to room 0042 and  knocked on the door. A  particular female voice struck from inside, bidding us to come in.

“ Rose, here is Mr Alec Worthington, Mrs Rachael’s supposed client” The first lady introduced.

The other woman, a young beautiful woman, gave me a sharp gaze and smiled. She's the secretary I guess.

“You’re welcome sir, please sit” She said very politely and warmly, but I didn't care. She pointed to a couch for me and I sat.

I watched as she rose from her seat and walked with a purposeful stride  to the other room adjacent to us.

Minutes later, she dashed in, gesturing to me that I could enter.

A young woman with delicate features leaned on the chair with her hair cascading down  her face when I got in.

She's the Attorney I guess.

Without invitation, I pulled one of the chairs opposite her, my mind fixed on the agenda and not the woman before me.

“Hello!” She said with a soft voice, her head buried in the desk.

I scoffed.

Honestly, I have low tolerance for fragile women. Their vulnerability makes me see them  like liabilities.

When the lawyer refused to raise her gaze, I hit the table slightly.

“ Need I remind you that my time is valuable?” I spoke calmly but very sternly.

Struggling with her long hair, she tried to raise her face but I intervened, pushing her hair off her face. She was eating away my time. I hated it.

“ Rachael?”

I arched my brows, surprised to have seen my sister in-law as my attorney.

“Alec” She said softly, pushing her hair in between her ears as I finally recognized her as my sister-in-law.

My gaze lingered a little before my  anger burned down.

Rachael and I have never spoken before . We used to meet often in the old mansion but she often ignored me like I had leprosy. In return, I avoided her presence, acting cold and indifferently towards her.

But now, she was going to be my attorney?

Goddamn! I hated this fate that brought us together.

”I'm sorry for my actions” She rushed her words and began flipping through the file before her, heading straight to business.

As  I studied her, I noticed Rachael wasn't looking good as usual but I brushed the distraction aside, focusing on why I came.

I didn't know anything about her beyond the fact that Keaton introduced her to us as a lawyer some years ago.

Even though my brother and I were close, I totally avoided everything about his wife. I didn't even know what Keaton saw in her at first place. She's too fragile for my liking.

“ You already know why I am here? Don't you?” I said, piercing my gaze at her but she dodged my piercing eyes, focusing on the file on the table.

“You’re here for a business consultation and  to discuss legal backing  for your company's expansion into a new branch and possibly the little challenges you have” Her demeanor shifted into a professional one.

The shift in her tone  was swift and unimaginable.

She's some woman though.

I nodded, my eyes glistening with purpose as I leaned closer.

Let's see if she is worth this case.

“ Our company’s expansion is being held hostage by a land owner who had formed alliances with an enemy of the company in the past.  The case at hand now isn't just about money: it's personal” I explained.

My narration is quite true but aiming to gauge my sister-in-law’s sharpness and expertise in the field.

Rachael,  when I was done, gazed at me, our connection immediate and business-like.

She fiddles with the pen in her hands, exuding a certain level of confidence.

“ Mr Alec, Worthington Jr” She began, calling my full name in a gentle firmness. “ To start with, how deep are these alliances and vendetta targeting you and the company?”

“Very deep. Mr. Peterson was dismissed from work after indulging in a criminal activity. I fired him and he's out to pull my company down” I explained, glaring at her as if waiting for her downfall.

She gave a smile and said.

“ Well, it means you may be dealing with a deadly and internal enemy”

“That seems the case here, Mrs Worthington” I replied, suddenly beginning to think differently about my sister-in-law.

“ Given the case with Mr Peterson, we'd need a strategic approach to it. Can you pinpoint more details about his  interests and goals?”

She asked again and I replied swiftly. “ To tarnish my reputation and the ongoing project at hand”

She nodded, “ Well, Mr Worthington, I suggest we track Mr Peterson, using the land owner's influence to pull him to court. I'm sure you'd win the case and commerce with the pending project. What's your perspective on this?”

I didn't respond when asked the question.

Rachael just best illustrates my imagination of what a professional lawyer should be.  

Deep inside, I began to admire her composure and excellence. Maybe this project may bring us closer as families.

“ Mr Worthington, are you there?”  She called my attention and the thoughts in my head finished.

“ I think I'll go with your ideas. I'll have the police arrest the land owner and by this also, Mr Peterson can be dragged to court”  

“Very well then, I'll be expecting updates soon” She retracted, flashing a faint smile.

Her smile was magnetic but brushed the feelings off and stood up.

I extended my hands for a  handshake but her eyes sparkled with deep connection and longing that bellied beyond professionalism.

“ It's nice doing business with you” I said, while she took  my hand.

Then, while our hands remained clenched, I noticed how Rachael  caressed my thumb in a certain way that moved my organs internally.

“ I look forward to seeing you, Mr. Worthington. Have a good day” She said with seductive eyes and withdrew her hands from mine.

I was lost. Speechless. Disorganized.

I turned to leave but something struck In my mind and I turned to her.

“ My company would be hosting its staff tomorrow evening so, I'm thinking If we could hang out together while we discuss more on this court seatings”

My breath hitched as I said those words, anticipating an answer.

It took a while before Rachael gave her answers  and when she did, her response was positive, giving me a glimmer of hope.