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Chapter 264
“Steve, what’s wrong?” Bella asked with concern. Her eyes widened as she saw his
disheveled figure. Steven, who was usually composed, stood in front of her with swollen
eyes and pale lips, looking extremely pitiful.
Asher asked, “Is this about Shannon?”
Asher walked up from behind Bella, wiping his hands with a handkerchief. Bella looked
over and was surprised to find bloodstains on it. Bella sighed at the realization that her
brother had once again taken matters into his own hands, robbing her of the opportunity
to showcase her talents.
“Sorry… I’m really sorry!” Steven bowed. His apology echoed in the tense air.
Puzzled, Bella glanced at her phone as it rang. Axel’s name lit up the screen.
Bella answered, “Axel?”
“Bella, Shannon left my place just a few moments ago.” Axel’s tone was tinged with
helplessness and self-blame.
He continued, “My team has been actively gathering evidence of Shannon’s abuse of and
bribery for the past few days. Unfortunately, it seems she was well-prepared. All the
evidence now points to Zephyr Quarry.”
power
Axel added, “Gregory had hired Hunter Lovett, a skilled lawyer known for playing dirty and
exploiting every loophole. Since we were lacking evidence, we had no choice but to
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release Shannon.”
Bella replied, “It’s okay, Axel. You’ve done your best. Besides, we’ve achieved our primary
goal. What truly matters is that the project in Baxim remains under our control. We can
discuss the rest in due course.”
Bella was not as anxious as the men around her. Each one of them seemed ready to skin
Shannon alive.
While Shannon was undoubtedly despicable, Bella understood a fundamental principle
that haste often led to mistakes. Gregory’s infatuation with Shannon meant that he would
spare no effort to save his wife. It was not worth it to escalate the conflict between the
two conglomerates over a project.
Axel continued, “By the way, Bella, Steven already called me. The poor guy was almost in
tears. Please let him know that this matter has nothing to do with him at all.”
Axel sighed. “He’s overthinking it for your sake. He was afraid you’d be upset, so he
burdened himself excessively.”
Bella replied, “Alright…”
Upon ending the call, Bella seemed to have grasped the situation. She looked at Steven
with complicated emotions and said, “Steve…”
Steven reproached himself. His eyes were red. “Ms. Bella, this is my family’s fault. I am
willing to bear any punishment.”.
Steven found out today that his brother, Hunter Lovett, had taken on Shannon’s case. He
was
so angry that he ran to Hunter’s law firm and had a heated argument with Hunter at the
office.
-“Our father was upright and incorruptible. During his tenure, he offended countless
people, so as soon as he retired, our enemies started targeting our family and seeking
revenge against our father, attempting to frame us for injustice. If it wasn’t for Chairman
Salvador coming to our aid at that time and hiring our father as the legal advisor so that
the conglomerate could protect us, how could our parents have enjoyed their retirement?
How could your law firm have become so successful?! Now that Ms. Bella is going against
Shannon, how can you represent the Salvadors and help Shannon escape charges?! Isn’t
this betraying their trust for personal gain?!”
Steven and Hunter had not argued for over two decades, but this time, Steven was putting
his foot down for Bella’s sake.
“The Thompsons have been kind to us, but that doesn’t mean our whole family is indebted
to them! Besides, our father has successfully won numerous lawsuits for Wyatt Thompson
over the years. Any gratitude owed has already been repaid. I am a professional lawyer. To
me, everyone is a potential client. As long as it’s a case I can handle, I will take it on. It
has nothing to do with any ties to the Salvadors or the Thompsons. Instead, look at you!
Our parents painstakingly raised you, provided you with the best education, and invested
considerable effort to see you succeed and achieve greatness, not to have you become a
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmlackey for the Thompsons!”
Hunter’s words pierced Steven’s heart. Despite his heart belonging to Bella, the weight of
his family’s expectations held him captive. He felt unworthy to face Bella again.
Bella asked, “Steve, what are you saying?”
Bella’s brow furrowed as she approached him with a tender smile.
She placed her hands on his trembling shoulders and gave him a reassuring pat on the
shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself, and let’s not allow this incident to sour our relations with
your family. Shannon isn’t worth the trouble. Why should we let it cast a shadow on our
families and dampen our spirits?”
“Ms. Bella…” Steven’s voice broke, heavy with guilt.
Bella interjected. “I completely understand why Hunter is taking on Shannon’s case. No
hard feelings.”
Bella’s gaze remained unwavering as she spoke earnestly, “Professionals should stick to
their duties, especially lawyers, who must remain impartial. If Hunter has been hired by
the Salvador family under suitable conditions, he should handle their case professionally.
I’m confident that if we need legal assistance in the future, your family will be there,
right?”
Steven nodded shyly and lowered his gaze.
The three of them got into the car. Asher held Bella’s hand, gently caressing her palm as
he asked, “Bella, what are your plans moving forward?”
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