Chapter 22: The Pursuit
Just as the elevator doors were about to close, a hand shot through the gap, forcing them open. Amelia glanced up to see Albert Beckett stepping inside, flanked by a group of lawyers. It was the same man who had been leading the charge against her in the partners‘ meeting earlier.
“Elise, what a coincidence, Albert said with a forced smile, completely ignoring Amelia. “Going to meet a client?”
Elise responded coolly, “At the firm, you’ll address me as Miss Fairfield.”
Albert finally turned his attention to Amelia, raising an exaggerated eyebrow. “Miss Ainsworth. And this is…?” He dragged out the words deliberately. “Are you tagging along as an assistant today?” Without looking up from her phone, Amelia retorted, “Mr. Beckett, if you’re so curious about my schedule, are you perhaps hoping I’ll assist you instead?” She let out a soft laugh. “Unfortunately, I’m not interested in babysitting old people.”
Albert’s smile stiffened. Watch your tone, young lady,” he said sharply, his voice dripping with condescension. “Let me remind you, you’re still young. Start small, gain experience. At your level, perhaps in twenty years, you’ll reach where I am today.”
He turned back to Elise, adopting a patronizing air. “As a senior partner it’s my duty to remind you that bringing a rookie to meet important clients could tarnish the firm’s reputation-
Amelia interrupted him before he could finish. “Mr. Beckett,” she said, her voice casual but cutting, “remember the patent case last week? I heard your client is considering filing a complaint with the bar association. Need me to recommend a lawyer who specializes in handling such complaints?”
Silence fell over the elevator, Elise’s lips curled into a subtle smirk.
Albert’s face darkened. “You little-
“Oh, and about that twenty–year achievement part,” Amelia said, feigning surprise as she glanced up from her phone. “I didn’t realize losing cases and facing client complaints is considered the industry standard.” Her eyes widened mockingly. “So that’s your benchmark, huh? Fascinating.”
“How dare you!” Albert barked, his tone rising.
The elevator chimed as it reached the ground floor. Amelia stepped out first, turning back to flash him a sweet smile. “I’d suggest you start drafting those apology letters now. After all.” She glanced at her watch meaningfully. “You might not have twenty years to get it done.”
Elise followed her out, stifling a laugh. “Should I get you a fire extinguisher?” she whispered.
“Don’t worry,” Amelia said with a wink. “But sure, a few honest words are more than enough to set fossils like him ablaze.”
After the two women left, Albert and his entourage exited the elevator and headed straight for the parking lot. One of the lawyers opened the door to Albert’s Maybach, and he slid into the backseat with a scowl. “Arrogant little brat,” he muttered, lighting a cigar. “She doesn’t even know what respect means. She’ll trip herself up soon enough.”
Smoke coiled around his face as he stared out the window, his expression unreadable. “Keep an eye on them,” he ordered suddenly. “If they’re meeting a client, I want their business meeting to turn into a
disaster.”
His assistant hesitated, “Mr. Beckett, with all due respect.. if they trace it back to us-
“Did this morning’s meeting teach you nothing?” Albert snapped, exhaling a cloud of smoke. “Elise vouched for that girl with her reputation. If the rookie screws up, she’ll owe the entire firm an apology.” The assistant understood immediately. If Ms. Ainsworth failed to prove herself–even worse, if she botched a client deal–Elise Fairfield would take the fall for poor judgment, and her standing in the firm would be compromised,
Already making plans, the assistant pulled out his phone. He arranged for a trusted lawyer to tail the two women so even if they were spotted they could just say they were just “going the same way.” Then, he called a private investigator, instructing them to use at least two cars to follow the women discreetly.
“Are you actually taking me to meet a client?” Amelia asked Elise as they walked to the car.
Elise replied, “Would you reach out to any of your old high–profile clients and ask them if they need legal services?”
Amelia shook her head. She’d decided to leave her past behind, for now at least. “No. If I’m going to start over, I’ll do it without leaning on my old connections.”
“Exactly. You need to build your own client base then. And no, we’re not meeting Richard,” Elise added with a sly smile. “Today, I’m introducing you to some circles with potential clients. First, well show them what we’re capable of Trust comes later. Once we’ve earned it, the clients will come to you.”
“Where are we going first?” Amelia asked.
“You’ll see. Just follow me and get in the car.”
a
Their first stop was an exclusive women’s spa, where men weren’t allowed to enter. Outside, a private investigator snapped photos of the two wornen as they walked in, then settled in to wait.
Inside, Elise greeted the spa owner warmly and introduced Amelia as her colleague and close friend. The owner, clearly delighted, chatted with Amelia and quickly exchanged business cards with her. When they left the spa, both women were refreshed and glowing. The investigator quietly tailed them as they drove to their next destinations: a luxury club, a golf course, and a yacht club. At one point, someone recognized Amelia as the woman who had danced with Richard at a recent dinner party. The sudden shift in their attitude, however, only made Amelia more determined to leave, since she didn’t want them to be her clients just because of her connection to him.
By evening. Elise took Amelia to the renowned Dead Rabbit Bar.
world weekly, and the service was as
New York, the city that never sleeps, was home to countless bars, but the Dead Rabbit stood out. Celebrities and socialites frequented it, DJs were flown in from around the world exorbitant as its prices. For the elite, exclusivity and expense were marks of status.
Inside, strobe lights flickered, the music pounded, and the dance floor was packed with people reveling in the night’s chaos. Elise led Amelia to a quiet comer and ordered two cocktails. Forget about those dinosaurs at the firm, Elise said, raising her glass. “Tonight, we should just relax ourselves.”
Amelia leaned in closer, almost shouting over the deafening music, “Didn’t you say we were here to meet clients?”
This is the best hunting ground in the city!” Elise winked. “When the rich come here to drown their sorrows, their lips loosen up far more than they ever would in a courtroom
Amelia, apparently too young to use this approach when she got into practice years ago, now nodded in fascination. “I’ll skip the drink, though,” she said.
it’s just a martini Elise teased, sliding the glass toward her. “And look over there–those Armani suits? Potential clients.”
In another corner of the bar, the private investigator sent a text: Target at Dead Rabbit Bar. Purely recreational. Alcohol consumed.
Albert received the update while dining at a restaurant. Smirking, he handed the phone back to his associate. “Hunting for clients in a nightclub? How creative. Why didn’t I ever think of that?”
He took a bite of his steak, savoring its tenderness. Then, glancing around, he waved the associate closer and whispered instructions into his ear
The associate nodded and left to make a call.
Albert chuckled softly to himself, cutting into his steak. “Tonight’s steak is exceptionally tender,” he mused.
