Chapter 4
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Hannah gave a breezy shrug , a sly grin tugging at her lips . “ My grandpa and yours ? They’ve been tight for , like , forever . When Cole Group was going under , my folks hit me up . I told them to throw a bone , you know , score some good vibes . ”
Liam’s eyes bugged out . “ Hannah , I’ve known you forever , and you never said a peep about this ? ” His heart swelled with warmth . She’d worked all that magic and let Aria hog the limelight .
She glanced away , brushing it off with a wave . “ I don’t go fishing for gold stars , Liam . If Aria hadn’t gone full diva , I’d have kept it zipped . ”
He grabbed her hand , his voice low and earnest . “ You’re too damn good , Hannah . Grandpa’s been played by Aria’s little act , but once we’re married , he’ll see you’re the real MVP . ”
Hannah arched a brow , her confidence practically radiating . “ Oh , he’ll get the memo . ”
Liam’d been abroad for two years , keeping tabs on the company from a distance .
His uncle , a brainiac with a PhD from some elite overseas school , started at Cole Group same time as Aria . Every deal he closed , he’d ring Liam to spill the
tea .
Liam thought it was all clicking now – Hannah’s family , the Gibsons , had pulled some serious strings to land those contracts .
His uncle had done the legwork , letting Aria take the bows just to help her get her bearings . But she’d swiped all the credit without so much as a flinch .
Right then , Liam’s phone pinged with a text from the butler , spilling every detail of his grandpa’s latest face – off with Aria . His face lit up as he yanked Hannah into a tight hug . “ Grandpa’s cool with ditching Aria ! We’re finally free to move in together . ”
Hannah’s lips curved into a smug smirk . “ Told ya I saw it coming . ”
Liam let out a heavy sigh , scratching his neck . “ It’s and now she’s gunning for fifteen billion . ”
gonna be a walk in the park , though . She’s coming out swinging – turned down a 230 – million deal
Hannah snorted , her voice dripping with shade . “ Greedy’s an understatement . But chill . If this hits the courtroom , that money’s gotta be dirty . She’s screwed . ”
“ We need Owen Shaw on our side , ” Liam said , his tone all business . “ Dude’s a legal rockstar – ice – cold , fair as they come . They don’t call him the King of the Courtroom for nothing . ”
Hannah’s eyes gleamed with a spark of mischief , “ Oh , I’ve bumped into him a time or two . If we lock him down , we’re golden . ”
Liam’s grin stretched wide as he pulled her close again . “ Hannah , where the hell would I be without you ? ”
Aria had just kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the couch when her phone buzzed with Benjamin’s name lighting up the screen .
“ Hey , darlin ‘ , what’s good ? Got a minute to come kick it with this old coot ? ” Benjamin’s voice was warm , laced with that familiar playful charm .
Aria propped her laptop on her knees , already typing “ top divorce lawyers ” into the search bar . “ Benjamin , I’m kinda slammed right now . ”
“ I hear ya , busy girl . Word’s out about Liam’s drama , too . Listen , I got a pal who’s a straight – up beast in court – perfect for your case . ”
A lawyer handpicked by Benjamin ? That was a no – brainer , Aria’s lips quirked into a grin . “ You’re the best , Benjamin . I’ll swing by to thank you properly
Benjamin’s chuckle practically danced through the phone , his excitement bubbling over . “ I’ll hook you up with my
He caught himself , nearly spilling his not so secret plan to set her up with his grandson , “ Uh , my buddy’s contact . I’ll text you his info . You two can get to
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chatting . ”
“ You’re a gem , Benjamin . I’ll stop by for that thank – you soon , promise , ” Aria said , her voice soft and teasing .
“ No rush , sweetheart . Win that case , then we’ll have a big ol ‘ party at my place , yeah ? ”
“ Count me in . ”
The call ended , and sure enough , Benjamin’s text popped up with a contact card .
Aria added the lawyer instantly , firing off a quick message : [ Hey , Mr. Webb , got a case I’d love to run by you . ]
(+20 )
Meanwhile , across town at Seacrest Law Firm , Owen Shaw was slogging through a stack of files when Benjamin’s message came through , asking him to help a friend with a messy divorce .
He shot back a [ No problem , ] only for his phone to ping again – a friend request .
Owen squinted at the screen . “ Mr. Webb ? Wrong guy or what ? ”
But it was Benjamin’s referral , so he hit accept and typed : [ Ms. Saxon ? ]
Arial replied : [ That’s me ! Hey , Mr. Webb . ]
Owen : [ You’re laying it on thick with the formal vibe . ]
A legal consult , and she already fumbled my name ? ‘ he thought , a smirk tugging at his lips .
“ Formal ? ” Aria mused , picturing one of Benjamin’s old cronies – probably some grizzled guy in his fifties with a cigar habit .
She typed : [ Hey , Mr. Webb ! Benjamin sent me your way , said you’re the guy for business disputes .]
Grinning , he still didn’t bother correcting her . They texted back and forth for ten minutes , and he pieced together the whole story .
Her husband’s company tanked right after their wedding , so she’d thrown in a chunk of cash to save it . Now , those shares were worth a fortune – twenty
times what she put in .
But her sleaze of a husband stepped out , and now they were splitting .
His family was playing dirty , waving a prenup in her face , claiming her investment was “ marital property ” and offering her chump change to keep her
shares .
Owen typed : ( Mind me askin ‘ – what’s the damage on those shares ? ]
Aria replied coolly : [ About fifteen billion . !
Owen’s eyebrows shot up . ‘ Holy hell . That is serious cash . ‘
Owen : Ms. Saxon , how about you swing by Seacrest Law Firm ? We need to talk this out in person . ]
And just like that , it hit him . She wasn’t just any client – she was the Ms. Saxon , the Cole heiress his mom couldn’t stop gushing about , the one with brains , beauty , and a heart of gold .
The next morning , Aria hightailed it to Seacrest Law Firm .
Talk about rotten luck she ran smack into Liam and Hannah right at the entrance .
Hannah’s eyes raked over Aria like she was yesterday’s trash , then she let out a nasty little laugh . “ Well , look who it is , Ms. Saxon . Here to sweet – talk Mr.
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chatting . ”
“ You’re a gem , Benjamin . I’ll stop by for that thank – you soon , promise , ” Aria said , her voice soft and teasing .
“ No rush , sweetheart . Win that case , then we’ll have a big ol ‘ party at my place, yeah ? ”
“ Count me in . ”
The call ended , and sure enough , Benjamin’s text popped up with a contact card .
Aria added the lawyer instantly , firing off a quick message : [ Hey , Mr. Webb , got a case I’d love to run by you . ]
Meanwhile , across town at Seacrest Law Firm , Owen Shaw was slogging through a stack of files when Benjamin’s message came through , asking him to help a friend with a messy divorce .
He shot back a [ No problem , ] only for his phone to ping again – a friend request .
Owen squinted at the screen . “ Mr. Webb ? Wrong guy or what ? ”
But it was Benjamin’s referral , so he hit accept and typed : [ Ms. Saxon ? ]
Arial replied : [ That’s me ! Hey , Mr. Webb . ]
Owen : [ You’re laying it on thick with the formal vibe . ]
A legal consult , and she already fumbled my name ? ‘ he thought , a smirk tugging at his lips .
“ Formal ? ” Aria mused , picturing one of Benjamin’s old cronies – probably some grizzled guy in his fifties with a cigar habit .
She typed : [ Hey , Mr. Webb ! Benjamin sent me
said you’re the guy for business disputes . ]
Grinning , he still didn’t bother correcting her . They texted back and forth for ten minutes , and he pieced together the whole story .
Her husband’s company tanked right after their wedding , so
times what she put in .
We’d thrown in a chunk of cash to save it . Now , those shares were worth a fortune – twenty
But her sleaze of a husband stepped out , and now they were splitting .
His family was playing dirty , waving a prenup in her face , claiming her investment was “ marital property ” and offering her chump change to keep her
shares .
Owen typed :[ Mind me askin ‘ – what’s the damage on those shares ? ]
Aria replied coolly : [ About fifteen billion . !
Owen’s eyebrows shot up . ‘ Holy hell . That is serious cash .’
Owen : [ Ms. Saxon , how about you swing by Seacrest Law Firm ? We need to talk this
out
in person . ]
And just like that , it hit him . She wasn’t just any client – she was the Ms. Saxon , the Cole heiress his mom couldn’t stop gushing about , the one with brains , beauty , and a heart of gold .
The next morning , Aria hightailed it to Seacrest Law Firm .
Tath about rotten luck she ran smack into Liam and Hannah right at the entrance .
Hannah’s eyes raked over Aria like she was yesterday’s trash , then she let out a nasty little laugh . “ Well , look who it is , Ms. Saxon . Here to sweet talk Mr.
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Shaw into taking your case ? Hate to burst your bubble , sweetheart , but a shady operator like you , fleecing folks with dirty tricks ? Mr. Shaw wouldn’t touch you with a barge pole . ”
Aria didn’t bat an eye . “ Oh , Hannah , you that sure Seacrest would back a homewrecker like you in a courtroom ? ”
She tossed out the jab and sauntered inside , leaving them choking on her dust .
Hannah’s face went crimson . She lunged to grab Aria’s arm , but Aria , like she had radar , sidestepped and snatched Hannah’s wrist , flicking it away like it was a bad vibe .
Spinning around , Aria fixed Liam with an ice – cold glare . “ Leash your yappy mutt , Liam . She comes at me again , I’m not just clapping back – I’ll snap her arm off . ”
A gaggle of suits rounded the corner just in time to catch her warning . The hallway went pin – drop quiet , every eyeball glued to the showdown at the door .
Liam pulled Hannah into his arms , shielding her as he shot Aria a scowl . “ Real nice , Aria . Hannah’s just trying to save your sorry butt , and you’re too bullheaded to see it .
I’m letting this slide ‘ cause you’re a lady , but don’t test me again .”
Hannah , nestled against Liam , didn’t bother chiming in .
Why waste my breath on a nobody like Aria ? No degree , no job – total small – fry energy . Not worth my time , ‘ she thought .
Aria didn’t even dignify him with a glance . She glided over to the gobsmacked receptionist , cool as a cucumber . “ Hey there , I’m here for Mr. Webb . Got an appointment . ”
Owen , who’d been soaking up the whole melodrama , couldn’t peel his eyes s off Aria .
His mom wasn’t kidding – this woman was a stunner . First impression ? She was a straight – up powerhouse . No shocker she’d single – handedly yanked Cole Group back from the grave .
But when she name – dropped “ Mr. Webb , ” Owen’s lips quirked , and he mentally dialed back his awe .
The receptionist blinked , snapping out of her trance , and nodded toward a middle – aged guy in a sharp suit . “ That’s Mr. Webb right there . ”
“ Thanks , ” Aria said , all smooth and polished .
Owen took a step forward , ready to clear up the mix – up , but before he could get a word out , Aria breezed right past him . She zeroed in on Mason Webb , flashing a dazzling smile and sticking out her hand . “ Mr. Webb , hi ! I’m Aria . ”
‘ You’ve gotta be kidding me , ‘ Owen thought .
Mason , caught off guard , shook her hand with a blank look . “ Uh , hey there . And you are … ? ”
Aria’s smile went full – on professional charm . “ Mr. Benjamin Hayes sent me your way . Said you’re the best in the biz for this kind of case and I should hire you .”
Mason’s eyes lit up like he’d just struck gold . ‘ Mr. Hayes knows me ? And he’s sending me clients ? ‘ he thought , barely containing his grin .
Time was , Mason had been Seacrest’s golden boy , the top – dog lawyer – until Owen swooped in and nabbed the chief attorney spot .
Gwen wasn’t just a name , either ; the guy had serious game , and Mason had to suck it up .
Now , though , Mason’s grin was practically splitting his face . “ Ms. Saxon , the pleasure’s all mine , ” he said , tossing a smug , eat that smirk Owen’s This train was derailing fast . Owen rubbed his temples , exasperated . “ Ms. Saxon-
way .
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“ Owen ! ” A shrill voice sliced through the air , cutting him off cold .
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