Chapter 19 The True Face of the Legal Titan
Early morning, along the coast of Long Beach, New York
The ocean stretched out, sapphire blue and glimmering under the bright sunlight.
Chad reclined on a lounge chair can the deck of a luxury yacht, dressed in beach shorts and a T-shirt, sunglasses shielding his eyes. Beside him, Vianna lounged in a bikini, the sun and gentle sea breeze caressing their skin Chad sipped on a glass of juice and let out a contented sigh.
Lately, his life had been a series of misfortunes. Every endeavor seemed to turn against him, and he had become the subject of gossip. To shake off his frustrations, he invited Vianna and a group of friends aboard the Weatherfield family yacht for a day of relaxation
But just as Chad was beginning to enjoy the race peace, his phone buzzed in his pocket. Glancing at the screen, he now Michael’s name Answering the call, Chad warned gruflly, “You’d better have a good reason for disturbing me Otherwise, you’ll feel my wrath tomorrow.”
Michael’s voice, however, was brimming with excitement. “Mr Weatherfield, great news! After exhausting every connection and relentless effort, we’ve managed to get the phone number for that legal Chad bolted upright from his lounge chair, pulling off his sunglasses Tid you contact her? I don’t want another dead end”
“The call went through,” Michael replied, pausing briefly before continuing. “But she said she would never represent her husband in this kind of case. I think you need to speak with her directly.” Clutching the phone lightly, Chad’s tone grew low and firm. “Good work. Send me the number”
When Michael’s text came through moments later, Chad took a deep breath and dialed the number.
After a few rings, a pleasant female voice answered, “Hello, who’s this?”
titan
Chad felt a peculiar sensation, as if he could smell the faint scent of books through the line. Striving to sound both earnest and resolute, he said, “Ms. Ainsworth? This is Chad Weatherfield. I know you’re retired, but I need your help I must gain custody of my daughter.”
The woman’s voice turned cold. “That’s right, I’m Ainsworth. As you’re aware, I’m retired, and I never represent my husband. I’m sorry?
Chad’s response was immediate. “If you can help me win custody of my daughter, money is no object. Name your price.”
For Chad, nothing was more important than reclaiming Luna’s custody and exacting revenge on Amelia. He was willing to pay any price.
A pause stretched over the line, and Chad sensed hesitation. Seizing the opportunity, he pressed on. “Can we schedule a meeting to discuss your fee and the details of the case in person?” Three seconds of silence
Finally, Ainsworth’s voice returned “Alright, you seem sincere. Today, 3 PM, Room 1808, Four Seasons Hotel”
She added, almost as an afterthought, “Come alone.”
Before Chad could respond, she hung up
Staring at his phone, Chad felt a twinge of doubt Meetings with attorneys were usually held in offices or cafes, not hotel rooms. But then again, she was the undefeated legal titan, a legend in her field. Such extraordinary figures often had peculiar habits. Dismissing his apprehension, Chad headed to the stern of the yacht to arrange for a speedboat to take him back to New York.
Not long after Chad left, Vianna noticed his absence. Learning he had departed, she was visibly displeased
At 2:50 PM, Chad stood outside Room 1808 at the Four Seasons. Straightening his suit and taking a deep breath, he knocked on the door
The door creaked open, revealing a mountain of flesh. The woman before him weighed at least 300 pounds, her body overflowing with rolls that resembled stacked truck tires. A pungent mix of sweat and cheap perfume emanated from her.
Her eyes lit up upon seeing Chad, “Mr. Chad Weatherfield? Come in
The stark contrast between her melodic voice and grotesque appearance unnerved Chad. As she spoke, a wave of foul breath hit him, prompting him to hold his breath instinctively.
The voice matched the woman he had spoken to that morning, but Chad felt a flicker of doubt. He remembered seeing photos of the legal titan in her youth–a beautiful, slender girl at sixteen. Could this transformation have been caused by years of indulgence after retirement?
Suppressing his revulsion, Chad frowned and asked, “It’s me. Are you really the legendary legal titan, Ms. Ainsworth?”
The woman nodded. “That’s right. Come in
She waddled into the room, her bulk swaying with each step.
Chad hesitated but eventually followed her inside.
Ainsworth gestured for Chad to sit on the couch, then plopped down beside him, her ample frame pressing uncomfortably close. The overpowering stench of her body combined with the cloying scent of her perfume made Chad’s stomach churn.
“Could we maintain some personal space?” Chad asked stiffly, inching away. He retrieved a file from his bag. “Here are the case materials.”
Without even glancing at the documents, Ainsworth tossed them onto the table. “Listen,” she said, her long nails grazing Chad’s hand. “For someone as handsome as you… I could waive my fee”
Chad yanked his hand away. “What the hell is this?” He shot to his feet. “Are you really Ms. Ainsworth?”
The woman’s thick lashes fluttered like spider legs as she leaned closer, her oversized frame looming “Of course, darling. We can discuss your ex–wife and your daughter over dinner… or something more Intimate” She puckered her lips, leaning in for a kiss.
“Damn it” Chad grabbed a crystal ashtray and held it defensively against his chest. “I told you, I’m here for legal services!”
“Don’t be so cold, she cooed, her sugary tone laced with menace. “Don’t you want to win back little Luna?”
“What’s Rule 702 of the Federal Rules of Evidence?” Chad suddenly demanded.
The woman froze, clearly caught off guard.
Smirking coldly, Chad stormed toward the door. “You fraud!” he spat, jabbing the elevator button furiously. “Mr. Weatherfield! Don’t go she shrieked, waddling after him into the hallway. “I’ll represent you for free
As she hurried closer, Chad felt the floor tremble beneath her weight. The sight was more terrifying than a horde of zombies closing in. Seeing the elevators were still far off, he bolted for the emergency stairs. He sprinted down 18 flights of stairs to the parking garage, tossing aside his jacket, which the woman had touched.
Jumping into his car, Chad, drenched in sweat and breathing heavily, shouted to his driver, “Go, go, go! Get me out of here!”
Only after the car sped out of the hotel parking lot did Chad glance in the rearview mirror, confirming the woman hadn’t followed. He exhaled deeply, clutching his chest as he gasped for air.
The driver looked back curiously. “Boss, what happened?”
Chad didn’t answer. His mind replayed the humiliating encounter–the anticipation, the effort of leaving the yacht and Vienna behind, only to face a grotesque, lecherous fraud. The anger and frustration boiled
over.
Fuck! Fuck!” he roared, slamming his fist against the car door. “I gave up sunlight, the yacht, and bikini–clad beauties for this? That disgusting hag dared to come on to me! Fuck! I just wanted one damn day of peace!”
By the end, Chad’s voice was a mix of fury and despair.
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