The Barrister's Love in Town

At that, she checked the time on her wristwatch. Seeing it was approaching noon, she

couldn’t help but turn to the opposing lawyer. “Mr. Waltham, how about you and your

clients go back and discuss it among yourselves before coming back to negotiate? It’s

almost noon, and I have things to attend to this afternoon.”

“Um… I think we can consider reducing the amount in question. After all, the deceased

should be given due respect, and we don’t want to see Natasha Knox leave in such a

disgraceful manner and have the matter go to court, the opposing lawyer said.

Amanda smirked in response. She knew it would come to this. The elderly couple was

simply feasting on their daughter’s tragic fate while portraying themselves as pitiful.

After spending the morning negotiating, the elderly couple still insisted on an exorbitant

amount, reducing it from 15 million to 12 million-still an astronomical amount. As a result,

Winters Enterprise decided to leave it to the court.

Upon having lunch in the company cafeteria, Amanda prepared to attend to her own law

firm matters. As

she wiped the corners of her mouth, she couldn’t help but chuckle, catching Elias’

attention.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“I feel quite dedicated these days, clocking in to work on time.”

Elias chuckled as well, then remembered Jack’s request. With that, he asked, “Do you have

time this weekend? Are you willing to join the Allegras for a meal at their place and bring

along Aiden as well?”

Originally, he wanted to persuade her more tactfully, but he realized it wouldn’t be

appropriate. It was better to be straightforward and let her decide for herself. The smile on

Amanda’s face vanished instantly. She fell silent for a while before asking, “Did Jack ask

you to be the mediator?”

“Sort of, but I only intend to be a messenger. He didn’t want to be involved in this matter,

especially considering Amanda’s aversion to it.

A chuckle escaped Amanda as she lowered her head. She had been avoiding that matter

lately, not wanting to bring it up or hear anyone mention it. But she would have to face it

eventually. The truth was that she was indeed Jack’s biological daughter, proven by a DNA

test.

Seeing that she remained silent, Elias spoke up. “If you don’t want to recognize them as

your parents, so be it. Either way, you now know Dick Leans isn’t your father. That’s all

that matters, and you don’t need to feel ashamed or guilty about anything Leans did. It

has nothing to do with you.” He knew Amanda had always felt inferior because of her

gambling-addict father. Now, she could finally stand tall.

Amanda let out a deep sigh. “But Mrs. Allegra seems pitiful. They didn’t want to lose their

daughter either. These past few days, I sometimes wonder, would we have still

inexplicably gotten married if I hadn’t been lost back then? Would we have a child as

adorable as Aiden? It seems like everything is destined.”

Elias’ eyes flickered slightly, and he chuckled. “Of course not, but I might have known you

twenty years earlier.”

Amanda looked up and met the man’s sober gaze, her expression slightly puzzled

Elias smiled and said, “Jack joined Winters Enterprise a year after they lost you. He

brought his entire family to the annual dinner. If you hadn’t been lost, we might have

already known each other at that time.”

For a moment, Amanda’s heart fluttered. If she hadn’t been lost, she and Elias would’ve

been childhood sweethearts, wouldn’t they? But very quickly, she found the thought

laughable. Even if they had known each other that early, Elias might not have liked her.

“You’re wondering if there would have been a spark between us if we had met that early,

aren’t you?”

I swear this man can really read minds, Amanda mused with panicked eyes and quickly

evaded her gaze. “No.”

He laughed, his hands in his pockets as he looked ahead at the greenery. “It’s possible.”

“You didn’t like me four years ago. What makes you think you’ll like the little me from

twenty years ago?” Amanda scoffed, showing her disdain. I’m definitely not buying it.

However, Elias stared at her side profile, incredibly serious and affectionate. “In that photo

I saw, the little you was quite charming. At least you looked more attractive than

Stephanie.”

In the photo, although Amanda and Stephanie stood together, they had very different

looks.

“Are you saying you like the little me?” Amanda had almost forgotten what she looked like

as a child. She

hadn’t taken many pictures, as her gambling-addict father, Dick, couldn’t even provide

enough food, let alone nice clothes.

Elias nodded in affirmation. “I do. You had a lively and spirited appearance.”

Amanda had also seen Elias’ childhood photos back at the Winterses’ place. He was an

aloof kid, exuding a handsome aura at such a young age. However, his expression was

always sour, making him appear unapproachable and difficult to deal with.

At that, she couldn’t help bursting into laughter.

Elias frowned. “What are you laughing about now?”

“I remembered your childhood photo. You looked very unapproachable.”

“Is that so?” Elias smiled. “Do you like it?”