To him, it meant the world that his little sister cared about his hard–earned wages and worked so hard for his sake. As her older brother, he already felt ashamed that he couldn’t help her more; how could he possibly stifle her determination?
Just before leaving, though, he called out to Calvert.
“What’s the matter? Do you need anything else?” Calvert adjusted his sses.
“No, Attorney Calvert. I’ll wait for you all downstairs. In the meantime, I’ll have to trouble you to look after my sister. If she makes a scene, that’s fine–just make sure she doesn’t get hurt.”
Calvert looked puzzled. “Miss Morton is far moreposed than most people her age. She’s unlikely to start a fight.”
Ethan’s mouth twitched in exasperation. “I’m saying, make sure she doesn’t get
hurt.”
“Oh!” Calyert nodded, patting Ethan’s shoulder with a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry. Even if this whole building exploded, I’d bet she’d walk out without a scratch.”
“Uh…” Ethan honestly didn’t know what to say to that.
“What did my brother say?” Alessia asked idly once Ethan had gone downstairs.
Calvert nced at her. “It’s pretty clear your brother doesn’t know you all that well.”
“Let’s just go in,” Alessia replied, brushing her nose and wisely letting the subject drop.
Calvert nodded, then pressed the doorbell. The receptionist buzzed them in, and the ss door slid open with a soft whoosh.
“Good morning. Do you two have an appointment?” the receptionist asked politely.
“No.” Calvert stepped inside, his expression suddenly grave and professional.
“May I ask what business you’re here for?”
“I’m Attorney Calvert, from Libra & Associates. I’m here today on behalf of my client, Ethan Morton. Hepleted a case for yourpany, but despite fulfilling his responsibilities, he has not received the payment he’s owed. We’re here to discuss this matter.”
“Ethan Morton?” Before the receptionist could reply, a young man strode over with a folder in hand.
14-45
“Maisie, you can’t just let anyone walk in here. What if it disturbs our visiting clients?”
“Oh?” Alessia’s lips curled into a faint smirk. “So you must be the guy they parachuted in to rece Ethan, huh?”
Simon’s expression darkened. “Little girl, you might want to watch your mouth.”
“If you had any real talent, you wouldn’t be so blind to reality. For them to let you take Ethan’s ce? Thispany must be heading straight for bankruptcy.”
“And you are…?”
“His sister. Blood–rted,” Alessia replied, tilting her head with an innocent, almost
mischievous smile.
Simon justughed, but there was no warmth in it. “So that’s who you are. Ethan left in such a hurry, I thought he was man enough to handle his own mess–but instead, he sent his little sister to fight his battles? He’s brought shame to men everywhere.”
“Listen, kid, poor people should learn to act their station. Kicking up a fuss over some leftover case payment–aren’t you embarrassed? And what’s this, you dragged somewyer out from under a rock to back you up? Hey, old man, can you even read the words on these documents?”
“Thank you for your concern. My eyesight is perfectly fine,” Calvert replied, giving his sses a calm, deliberate push up his nose,pletely unfazed by the insult.
“Maisie, print out this file,” Simon barked.
Just then, a middle–aged man put down his paperwork and started to leave, only to double back after a few steps.
“Attorney Stone, do you know who she is? She’s-”
“Attorney Calvert!” The man’s face lit up with excitement, which stood in stark contrast to Simon’s look of disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re visiting our humble firm! Maisie, bring two cups of tea to my office, now. Attorney Calvert, right this way, please.”
As Attorney Stone bent over backwards to usher Calvert into his office, Alessia nced over at Simon, her expression practically spelling out: “What an idiot.”
???
14:45
<b>Chapter </b>97