Chapter 43
Maxine couldn’t bring herself to say what she was about to. She more or less knew Lucas’s background–just a regular family from Gludon Kaly
Lucas’s parents were both highly educated, but they’d lived by the book their whole lives. Lucas turned out the same way.
Lucas always acted a bit careless and laid–back, but deep down, he was as straight as they came. from home to class and back again. Never had any shady thoughts.
Ever since school, he was the kind of guy who went.
Maxine thought, ‘If I ask him to dig deeper into Nathan’s death, it’ll be like dragging him into something dangerous he never signs up for
The thought made Maxine take a deep, silent breath.
Maxine tried to keep her voice sounding normal, even threw in a light chuckle. She replied, “No, Lucas, you’re overthinking it. It’s just a regular case. That assault case was closed a long time ago. I didn’t even represent the plaintiff by the end. It has nothing to do with me anymore.”
Lucas clearly didn’t buy it. “Seriously? You’re not pulling my leg, right? We’ve always been close. If you need help, you know I’ve got your back
A bitter smile flickered in Maxine’s eyes. She’d lo these questions.
figured out how the adult world worked–if Lucas really wanted to help, he wouldn’t be asking at
Instead, Lucas would just get it done and tell her after. Right now, he was cautious and hesitant. That’s why he was probing first.
“I mean it. I’m not lying. It’s all good, Lucas. Since the family doesn’t want to talk about what happened to Nathan, I won’t push it. I’ll try digging up some other evidence,” Maxine explained.
With that, Maxine tried to steer the conversation away and end the call.
“Wait–hang on, I’ve still got something to ask you.” Lucas sighed a little. “I heard you quit your old firm? What happened?”
Maxine hesitated, then decided to be straight with him. “I’m planning to work overseas. There’s a good opportunity over there. I want to give it a shot,”
Lucas let out a vague “Oh,” sounding like he didn’t care much.
Then Lucas asked, “When are you heading out? If you’re still around for a bit, I’ve got someone I want you to meet. He could use your help.”
Maxine forced herself to perk up. “Who is it?”
“Just a friend,” Lucas said. “He’s got a case–something about a shareholder dispute. I remember you’re really good at that kind of thing. He doesn’t want to hire some big–name firm. Says most of those lawyers are just for show. Someone like you, he’d probably trust.”
Hearing this, Maxine frowned a little. On a normal day, she wouldn’t have thought twice about taking the case. But right now, her hands were full.
The Alton Legal Firm was still waiting on those case files. Ivanna’s situation wasn’t resolved yet. And more than anything–Jessica needed her.
Even if Maxine could spilt herself in three, it still wouldn’t be enough to handle everything.
Maxine hesitated, wanting to turn him down but struggling to get the words
out.
After all, Lucas had just gone out of his way to ask about Nathan for her.
After a moment, Maxine said seriously, “How about this? Give me a few days. Once things calm down on my end, I’ll reach out. Then you can connect me with your friend. Sound good?”
Lucas agreed easily. “Sure. You take care of what you need to first. Let me know when you’re ready.”
After they hung up, Maxine heard footsteps behind her. She turned—and froze for a second.
Chapter 43
It was
Jessica, rubbing at her eyes,
still half–asleep. “Maxine, who
were you
talking
Somehow, Maxine thought off Nathan
again. A dull
ache settled in her chest.
‘Should I tell Jessica?‘ Maxine thought.
い
AD
