Rift in the perfect picture

I had no choice but to rise and signal the waiter for additional chairs. As I moved to sit down, Nicholas unexpectedly grasped my arm, pulling me toward him with a firmness that directed me to take the seat beside him.

I glanced up, his defined jawline dominating my view. Oblivious to any sense of impropriety, he finally settled into his seat.

What began as a lunch for two expanded into a gathering of four. Pete occupied the chair across from me, while Silas took the spot opposite Nicholas. The four of us sat around a modest table, descending into a collective silence together.

Nicholas‘ demeanor grew tense. Upon catching Pete’s faintly mocking smile, his eyes turned cold and his expression became devoid of emotion. It wasn’t until the waiter arrived with the menus that his imposing presence began to ease.

All the while, Nicholas avoided meeting my eyes, his expression unreadable as he placed his order. It was only after that he reached out to Silas, saying. “Nice to meet you.”

Nicholas rarely extended his hand willingly over these past four years, so it surprised me to see him taking the initiative now.

My perception of Silas was mostly shaped by Yasmine’s admiration. Having been out of the legal field for four years, I knew Silas only as a rising star in legal circles, but I didn’t regard him with awe.

Silas smiled warmly as their hands met across the table. I could see the alluring bulge of veins through their shirt cuffs, almost straining against the fabric as if ready to burst through the buttons.

Nicholas maintained his composure, his face graced with a faint smile. “I’m curious, Mr. Harmon. What aspect of my wife’s affairs needed your involvement rather than Hawk Corporation’s legal team?”

I could sense Nicholas had an issue with me joining Silas for a meal alone. Even though he directed his words at Silas, it was clear they were meant for me.

I didn’t want Nicholas to cause trouble for anyone because of me. Just as I was about to say something. Silas spoke up before me. Naturally, lawyers never shied away from a debate.

Silas smiled confidently and replied, “Mr. Hawk, what’s the concern? We’re simply having a casual lunch here with my team and boss. Whether it’s Pete or Ariana, future collaborations are on the horizon.

“Since you’re here, please do us a favor and think of it as being here as a family member of one of our team. Let’s leave work out of this.”

Nicholas‘ expression hardened subtly as they kept a firm grip on each other’s hands. He said, “Silas Harmon–the well–known lawyer often dubbed the ‘Legal Ace‘. You certainly have a silver tongue. They say there’s no case you can’t win. Is that true?”

As tension mounted, Pete remained unfazed, savoring his meal with his cutlery in hand. I discreetly kicked his leg under the table, silently questioning whether he’d allow Nicholas to mistreat his close friend like that.

To my surprise, Pete grew defensive. He fixed me with a glare from across the table and asked, “Ms. Aril Why did you kick me? Silas can handle himself. You’re worrying too much, aren’t you?”

With just a few words, Pete had managed to sour the mood of three people. Nicholas couldn’t hide his embarrassment and loosened his grip.

His face darkened, but I wasn’t concerned with his mood anymore. All I knew was that the table had finally regained its lively atmosphere.

Since Silas was my higher–up, and I was hosting this lunch, I didn’t want him to feel uncomfortable at the table. I made a deliberate effort to lighten the mood.

Nicholas huffed dismissively. Unable to confront Pete directly and wanting to avoid any conflict with him, Nicholas shifted his focus to Silas instead.

“My firm has its legal department, but even high–ranking officials speak highly of you, Mr. Harmon. Rumor has it you’ve never lost a case. I wonder if that’s true,” Nicholas remarked.

Nicholas chose his words carefully, speaking deliberately and calmly with courtesy. He suspected there was considerable exaggeration involved in the matter, and the likelihood of success was manageable.

Lawyers had numerous choices when deciding which cases to take on. To increase their success rate, they could focus on cases with a high probability of winning. Therefore, Nicholas doubted that Silas was as remarkable as rumors suggested.

Silas adjusted his glasses and said coolly, “I can’t promise a 100% success rate, but I do guarantee 100% billing.”

“No wonder everyone’s rushing to become lawyers these days. Just talk and rake in the cash.” Nicholas sneered, his eyes fixed on me.

“Some people are simply destined for this. Nothing can obstruct one’s path when destiny beckons.” Silas sensed something amiss well beforehand. He scooped me a bowl of lobster bisque, a dish synonymous with wealth and success, showing he was on my side.

I smiled gratefully at him, my eyes crinkling at the corners. As I was about to taste it, two hands appeared over the bowl–Nicholas‘ and Pete’s.Content is property © NôvelDrama.Org.

Pete interjected. “Silas served this up for me. Help yourself if you want some. Can’t you lift a finger?”

I was stunned into silence. Fury burned in Nicholas‘ eyes as he glared at me, perhaps because I’d been avoiding their verbal sparring and hadn’t spoken directly to him,

“You’ve weathered many storms, Mr. Harmon. It’s time to offer young talents a chance.” As Nicholas finished speaking, a bowl was placed heavily before me. He had just served me a bowl of lobster bisque.

“Offering chances has its moments. Usually, I don’t allow the young guns from my firm to argue outside the courtroom. They ought to learn to bill for their debates. Otherwise, it dampens their professional zeal. “Today, you and I truly connected, and I ended up chatting more than intended. I even shared some confidential business information. Hopefully, you’ll keep that between us, Mr. Hawk,” Silas responded.

He then reached across the table, picked up my bowl of lobster bisque, and set it down before Pete. Pete, you’re still growing. Have some more.”

Pete and I were both dumbfounded.

Silas lifted his glass gracefully, inviting everyone to join in. I raised my glass to clink with his, and Pete did the same. The three of us held our glasses aloft, our eyes fixed on Nicholas, waiting for his reaction.

“Not everyone has the opportunity to meet a lawyer as skilled as you, Mr. Harmon,” Nicholas said evenly, his gaze intensifying as it settled on me. “Desperate measures won’t be of any use when dealing with a situation that’s already settled.”

*In our profession, our core mission is to pursue justice, and making a difference in even one person’s life significant.” Silas declared. When discussing his profession, he radiated a self–assured demeanor. He had every reason to feel that way.

With our glasses chiming softly, the conversation eventually wound down, and I let out a sigh of relief. Silas had truly stepped up for me today. He took on Nicholas, and I was thoroughly enjoying every