After going through the documents and finalizing the necessary details, Ava leaned back in her office chair, looking pleased. She tapped her pen against the desk and said, "Alright, Jack, everything you've requested will be done in three days. I'll call you the moment it's all finalized."Jack, who had been sitting across from her with his arms crossed and face still slightly bruised, gave a small nod. He looked around the office for a second and then said, "Do you mind if I use the bathroom before I head out?"
"Of course, come on, I'll show you," Ava said, standing up quickly, her voice now softer, more gentle.
She stepped out from behind her desk and motioned for him to follow her. The shift in her attitude didn't go unnoticed. Before, when he looked like a stray dog that stumbled in off the street, she was cautious, curious, and skeptical. But she didn't judge him. She was ready to help. Now, with the knowledge that he was worth two million dollars, she was showing a level of care and attention that hadn't been there earlier. Jack noticed it, too, but he didn't comment. As they walked down the corridor, two voices echoed from a nearby corner, laced with laughter and sarcasm. Luke and Lisa, two of the loudest, most arrogant lawyers in the firm, were standing near the water dispenser.
"Look at that," Luke said, nudging Lisa and pointing at Jack. "Our little stray's getting a personal escort now. Did someone win a free coffee or something?"
Lisa chuckled and replied, "Nah, I think he just told her some sob story, and now she's babying him. She probably thinks she's going to get a pity bonus."
They both burst into laughter again. Jack didn't flinch. He just followed Ava, his face calm and unreadable. Ava pretended not to hear, but the tightness in her jaw said otherwise. She showed him the bathroom and walked back toward her office. As she approached, Luke and Lisa walked up to her with wide smiles.
"Alright, Ava, you've got to spill," Luke said, throwing his arm dramatically over her shoulder. "Who's the mystery man? Your new boyfriend or a lost client from the soup kitchen?" Ava rolled her eyes, but she couldn't hide the small smile on her face. She looked proud, excited even. "Actually, I just landed my biggest client yet. That man right there, Jack, is a newly minted millionaire. He came in here looking for legal help to access his lottery winnings and manage a few investments."
Lisa scoffed. "Millionaire? That guy? Are you serious?"
Ava nodded and opened the folder she had brought from her office. Inside was Jack's signed lottery ticket, certified and verified. She held it up for them to see. Lisa snatched it out of her hand before Ava could stop her. Lisa's eyes widened as she examined the ticket. The numbers matched. The seal was real. "Holy crap," she muttered. Luke leaned over her shoulder, his cocky expression quickly changing to one of disbelief. The silence that followed was heavy. Then Lisa slowly handed the ticket back.
They were no longer laughing.
"You... actually landed this guy?" Lisa asked, her tone suddenly softer, laced with envy. "Yes," Ava said with a hint of pride. "He chose me."
Luke narrowed his eyes. Luke smirked, "You thinking what I'm thinking?" (stupid grin) Ava frowned. Of course, she knew what Luke was thinking, but she said. "No, No, and No." "You could get a fat cut off this. Hell, you could take the whole thing. Are you sure you wanna play honest with a guy who walked in here looking like a street brawler?" Ava's expression turned cold. "I'm not that kind of lawyer. I do things right." Luke sneered. "Suit yourself. When you're done playing noble, don't come crying to us when he screws you over." At that moment, the bathroom door creaked open, and Jack stepped back into the hallway. He adjusted his jacket and looked up, instantly spotting the three of them standing together.
Luke and Lisa's eyes lit up. "Hey! Jack, right?" Luke said, walking up with a wide grin that looked more like a mask than a smile. "We didn't get a proper introduction earlier. I'm Luke. And this is Lisa. You need anything at all, man, just say the word." "Yeah," Lisa chimed in, walking up beside him. "We'd love to help you sort out your winnings. Ava's good, but she's still pretty new. With our experience, we could take care of you way better." Jack stood there, arms folded, his posture strong and silent. He stared at them both like they were dust on his shoes. Or better yet, he ignored them like a fly on the wall.
"I'm good," he said flatly.
Luke laughed nervously. "Come on, don't be like that. We were just joking earlier. No hard feelings, right?" Before Jack could speak again, Lisa suddenly turned toward Ava, her voice sharp. "Actually, Jack, you should know something. Ava's not all she seems. She's messed up big contracts before. Lost some serious clients." Luke nodded, jumping in. "She's still learning. You might want to think twice before trusting her with your millions." Ava looked like she had just been slapped. Her eyes widened. "What the hell are you two doing?"
Jack continued to stare at the duo, showing no expression. Letting them talk. Letting them unravel.
When they were finally done spitting their venom, Jack turned to Ava, ignoring the two entirely. He reached out his hand. "Thanks, Ava. I'll be waiting for your call." They shook hands firmly. Then, without sparing another glance at Luke or Lisa, Jack walked right out the door. The two were left standing in awkward silence. Ava looked between them and said, "You just made fools of yourselves."
Luke snorted. "We'll see. Let's just hope your moral high ground's worth more than a seven-figure payout." But Ava didn't answer him. She went back into her office and closed the door, her heart pounding. She wasn't sure. Was it the fear that she might have lost the contract? Or the fury she felt for both of those backstabbers.