fa expected. Dous epted the jobias my assistant without even discursing the sry. He emptied his luggage and filled his suit


    dally necessities and light clothing


    The next day, we flew to Idlewild. The party representative was a highly influentialpany, and they promptly arranged for us to have a meal with them once wended.


    was slightly nervous about discussing matters over dinner since drinking was inevitable Fortunately, Dous was with me. I thought we could rest at the hotel after the meal, yet we were immediately rushed to the next asion


    Nevertheless, Dous seemed unfazed "Back when i was with Ms. Thompson, this was routine Commercial cases and ordinary litigation are different in the entire team, you might be the only one who''s eager to proceed with the case."


    I nodded and understood what he meant if I wanted to be influential in the industry, such things were inevitable So, I had no choice but to endure and participate.


    By the time everything was over, Dous and I were staggering back. I had intended to review the key points of the case mentioned tonight, but ! too exhausted to do so


    We were sent back to our respective roams. Just as I closed my door and was about to change my clothes, someone knocked on my door


    Assuming that it was Dous who might have something to discuss with me. I hurried over to open the door.


    But before I could take in what was happening, a white cloth was shoved over my mouth and nose My vision went ck in an instant


    I was woken by a man apologizing


    I''m sorry, Mr. Hawk. I didn''t know that Ms. Jones was your wife. Don''t worry, she''ll be fine. The drug we used will eventually be removed by her body, and it won''t cause any side effects."


    "No side effects? Then why isn''t she awake yet?" Nichs snapped)


    The man sounded desperate. How could one be awake when s ad been drugged?


    "Mr. Hawk, I really wasn''t aware that your wife was responsible for our case. We only heard from the other party that they had hired a celebritywyer to put pressure on us. This was a desperate measure."


    My head throbbed painfully as I tried to make sense of the situation. ncing around, I realized that I was still in the hotel. Did Nichse?


    The conversation continued outside. "Although ourpany can''t bepared with Hawk Corporation, we''re still quite influential here. The deputy mayor has been watching ourmotion."


    A stoic smile crossed Nichs''s face. "Are you implying that the deputy mayor tacitly approved what you did today?"


    The man almost choked on his words. "Mr. Hawk, we can''t make such


    ims."


    I opened the door and saw a portly man preparing to kneel on the floor. Vaguely remembering him watching me as I was being drugged, I felt a surge of fear. Seated on the couch, Nichs nced up and met my gaze. His eyes were indifferent, yet indiscernible emotions lurked in them.


    Uncrossing his legs, he tucked his hands into his pockets and got up." Leave. You''re in no ce to negotiate with me."


    I was stunned, but I soon realized what had happened. I had always known that awyer was a high-risk profession, as it was prone to retaliation.


    Yet, I seemed to have forgotten the notion that I had always kept in mind during college and actually dared to barge into their territory with Dous


    alone."


    "Thanks," I croaked. It was only right for me to express my gratitude. Without him, the consequences could have been dire.


    Looking indifferent, Nichs shot a nce at me. He turned around and began making phone calls by the window.


    The sunlight cast arge shadow on the floor behind him, and I stood there staring at it. I had been standing as he made calls for nearly 20 minutes. Finally, he narrowed his eyes and nced back at me. "You''re not allowed to take cases from other provinces from now on.


    A pang of displeasure shot through me. "Saving me once doesn''t mean you can interfere with my work-"


    The veins on his forehead throbbed.


    Clearly agitated, he interrupted me with a loud voice, "Interfering with your work? If I hadn''t interfered, you might have been dead!"


    Feeling slightly diffident, I argued, "It''s not that serious. I''ll be more


    careful in the future. This is justOriginal from N?velDrama.Org.


    small mishap that can happen even in normal work


    "A small mishap?" Nichs gritted out. It was so much of a mishap that I couldn''t even schedule a private jet to fly I almost had to run here from Radiant City!"


    My eyes turned red. "Don''t worry. I''m responsible for my work. Even if I died, it would be a noble sacrifice.."


    I intended to continue, but I was rendered speechless when I saw his tearful


    gaze.


    "Ariana, if only you cared for me even a little, I wouldn''t have you tire yourself out. You me me for losing your job, but to me, that''s nothing.


    "You can have everything you want as long as you tell me. Why do you have to scare me like this?"


    He suddenly crossed the room and pulled me tightly into his arms.