One day, Simon was relishing thepany of escorts and good wine at a premium lounge in a


    luxurious nightclub. The air was filled with smoke and the sounds from partying.


    Sitting across from him was the heir of the Schmidt Group, Josh Schmidt. The fact that Simon was


    invited to the party that night meant he had received the seal of approval from Josh. The Schmidts


    were considered one of his connections now.


    Now acquainted with the Becketts and the Schmidts, Simon had no reason to fear the Taylors


    anymore.


    "Mr. Schmidt, it was just a small favor. You''re too nice," Simon remarked energetically with an escort in


    his arm.


    "It''s just a few drinks. Don''t mention it." Josh swirled the wine and lifted a brow in amusement. "This is


    nothingpared to your brilliant suggestion of suing your brother for aggravated assault.


    "For one, this is a revenge for David. Someone needs to pay for the suffering he had been put through.


    Besides, this is a good chance to break up Sean and Ms. Tatiana. Knowing how much your mom loves


    his son, she''d rather die than allow Sean to marry the lowly daughter of Winston''s third wife. You''ve


    This belongs ? N?velDra/ma.Org.


    killed two birds with one stone."


    Since the Schmidts could noty a finger on Jasper and Alyssa yet, they''d make inroads by starting


    with the people around the couple.


    There was no way Josh would allow Sean to beat David by marrying Tatiana.


    "Haha! It''s all because you paid me well." Under the influence of alcohol and wealth, Simon shed his


    gentlemanly facade. His eyes twinkled with greed. "You made a great offer to me, knowing you''re


    asking me to sue my brother. I''ll have to work well with you."


    "You''re suing your brother. Don''t you feel sorry for him, having grown up together?" Josh inquired with


    a smile.


    "He''s not my brother." Simon seethed with malice. "He''s just Alyssa Taylor''spdog."


    Josh clicked his tongue and gracefully took a sip of red wine.


    "Mr. Schmidt, you know my reputation in the legal field. Just leave your brother''s case to me. I''ll help


    you to secure a perfect victory. Besides, if yourpany needs legal assistance, my door is always


    open. I''ll wee you at any time."


    Josh looked upzily at Simon''s eager expression and smiled. "Seeing how diplomatic and flexible you


    are, it''s no wonder you''re a reputable attorney. From what I learned, you are a close acquaintance of


    Mr. Javier, and you''ve helped him to take care of legal troubles more than once.


    "But you seemed to have mishandled Madam Sophia''s drug offense case. She''s still on remand, and


    her court hearing is around the corner. Due to the huge repercussions of her case, the court has


    decided on a public hearing, which the Becketts had failed to stop."


    Josh''s smile turned into a disdainful snicker. "Jasper Beckett and Alyssa Taylor have ruined your


    personal record of 100 percent wins. When the news spreads, you start receiving fewer cases. How


    could I trust your professional ability?"


    The smile on Simon''s face froze. He felt as though Josh had pped him in the face. Anger burned in


    his chest.


    He argued, "Sure, there''s a court hearing soon, but that''s where my strength lies. Even if I can''t help


    her walk away free, I can appeal for a lighter sentence." Downing a huge ss of alcohol, he dered,


    "Just wait and see."


    "Sure. I''ll wait for your good news, Attorney Lynch." With a smirk, Josh said, "Prove your ability through


    the Beckett''s court case, and we''ll have ample opportunities to work together."


    Simon headed toward the parking garage, drunk and furious. His cheerful mood at the start of the night


    had turned into deep frustration.


    Simon btedly realized that Josh had manipted him. Josh turned against him and even made


    empty promises. Simon thought, "None of the Schmidts is good."