I looked up to find my father had returned.
“Can, you uh, come see me in my office once your meeting with Robert ends?”
I had to bite the inside of my cheek to keep my mouth from hanging open at the uncertainty I heard in his question. I wanted to ask him what about, but a second later, Robert emerged from the hallway.
“I—uh, sure,” I responded, my eyes bouncing from him to Robert and back to my father.
He stepped aside to allow me space. “I’ll wait for you.”
My steps almost faltered at that, and I glanced over my shoulder. I didn’t say anything, and I doubt he wanted me to.
“Chanel,” Robert greeted in his professional demeanor.
I followed Robert down the hall to the conference room. As I entered, I saw his client looking like the oversized, sulking professional football player he was. He obviously didn’t want to be there, and likely having heard the word “no” from very few people in his life, he wasn’t used to not getting his way.
I’d seen so many people like him. Usually men who had power and fame become reduced to sulking children when they were dealing with a soon-to-be ex-spouse who finally stood up to them. And of course, the kickass lawyer who behaved like a dog with a bone for her clients. I looked at the handful of other professionals in the room, squared my shoulders, and glided into the room as if I owned it.
“Robert, Michael, fellas,” I nodded to the other people in the room, realizing I was the only woman. “Let’s get this over with, shall we?” And with that went yet another deposition that seemed to play in my client’s favor more than the opposing side’s.
“You are going to regret this,” Robert sneered behind me, two hours later.
I rolled my eyes at his idle threat.
“Robert, you need to calm down before you have an aneurysm or something.” I rolled my eyes as if bored because that’s what I was. Jacob Wyatt had practically admitted to cheating on his wife the entire length of their marriage, or rather, he’d been made to look like a fool when confronted with evidence after his repeated denials. Evidence in the form some very elicit pictures, courtesy of a private investigator and a DNA test that proved he’d fathered a child outside of his marriage.
“You think this shit is funny? You’re ruining a man’s life!” Robert seethed through clenched teeth.
Out of the corner of my eyes, I saw his hands ball into fists at his side and then flex before doing it again. A small tingle of something akin to fear began at the base of my belly, but I tamped that down. Robert may have been on edge with the pressure of this case, but I doubted he was violent or irrational. I sighed, realizing it probably was just my experiences with violent men in the past…in particular, the not so distant past of Michael killing his family just a month ago.
“I’m not ruining anyone’s life. Your client did this to himself.Heruined his wife’s life along with his own. It’s time for him to take some personal responsibility. It would be best for you to advise him to drop his pride and go with the settlem—”
“I don’t need you to tell me anything about what to advise my client,” he countered. “He wants to take this to court. Let’s let a judge decide this, once they see all the evidence. Including how manipulative and conniving and man-hating you are.”
I scrunched my face. “Man-hating? Look, we can draw this out some more and take it to court, and your client will likely end up paying more than Michele is already asking for. Iwillconvince her to ask for more, considering all she’s endured. And I can beveryconvincing.”
He gave a mocking chuckle. “I bet.” He glowered at me.
I didn’t particularly care what Robert thought of me, but his over-the-top behavior right then had me considering what I’d done to him. Aside from a few encounters previously, we’d rarely crossed paths. And even with this case, I hadn’t acted in a way any typical lawyer fighting for her client wouldn’t have. I’d come across many opposing attorneys who fought against me, hard, in the courtroom, and then we’d go out to lunch and chum it up after court was over. In my profession, I came across the same people over and over, representing clients, so developing a friendly rapport was common. So, I couldn’t understand why Robert was getting into such a personal attack against me over this case.
“Okay, Robert. If that’s what your client wants, then so be it.” I shrugged taking a step back. “You enjoy the rest of your day. I can see myself out.” I went to turn toward the outer office, but paused when I remembered my father had asked to speak with me. Backtracking a little, I turned and headed in the opposite direction, going deeper down the hall. I glanced over my shoulder to see Robert’s stern gaze still on me, squinting when he saw me pause in front of my father’s door.
I rapped on my father’s door that was slightly ajar. Pushing it open even more, I watched as he raised his head. His expression morphed into surprise and then eased into satisfaction as he stood.
“Chanel, how’d it go with Robert?”
I frowned. “I probably shouldn’t discuss that, considering…”
He nodded, understanding.
“I’m sure Robert will let you know soon anyhow. He just watched me come speak with you, so he’ll probably be in here later on today.”
“Please, have a seat.” He extended his hand to the chair that sat in front of his desk.
I glanced around his huge corner office. He’d redecorated since the last time I was there. The office had a more modern feel, similar to the décor at his home.
He must’ve read my thoughts because he added, “Marjorie helped me redecorate.”
“She has a good eye,” I complimented, meaning it. I sat and looked at my father expectantly, waiting for him to address whatever he’d asked me to come in for.
