Chapter 267
Chapter 267
Chapter 267 You Like the Little Me?
“What are you going on about?! I never hit my daughter! I never did! Shouldn’t you be held accountable. when my daughter died in your company?! Instead, you bring in a lawyer to bully us! You people are unbelievable!”
Intimidated by Elias’ imposing stature, Natasha’s mother began behaving unreasonably. After all, they were elderly; no one would dare to do anything to them.
At that, Elias released the elderly woman’s hand and demanded sternly, “Do you really think no one saw or heard what you two did here?”
The Knox couple was indeed quite naive. They probably thought public opinion would continue to lean in their favor. Immediately, Natasha’s father shielded his wife behind him. “What are you saying?! What have we done? We are only a helpless couple seeking justice. Why is it so hard?!”
“No need to trouble yourself with this matter, Mr. Winters. I’ll handle it,” said Amanda, fearing Elias might mention the surveillance footage and give the opposing lawyer a new line of thinking.
Complying with her request, Elias returned to his seat. “Get physical again, and I will have you You won’t receive a single penny either. We will bring this to court.”
thrown out.
This time, not only the Knox couple but even their lawyer somewhat panicked, for Winters Enterprise had a formidable team of lawyers who might not necessarily lose even if the case went to court.
At that, the opposing lawyer pulled the Knox couple aside for a hushed discussion. “Mr. and Mrs. Knox, it’s best we don’t go too far, or you really might not get a single penny in the end. After all, some evidence currently available is highly unfavorable to our side.”
Natasha’s parents exchanged a glance and finally realized the severity of the situation. All they wanted was monetary compensation and not to bring the issue to court. After all, the case would take a long time to resolve if it was presented to the court, and it would be ages before they receive any compensation.
Amanda crossed her arms and squinted her eyes slightly as she watched the Knox couple and their lawyer whisper to each other. They had been discussing for almost half an hour, and she didn’t know what they were saying.
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 Content held by NôvelDrama.Org.
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?”