The Royal Contract

After Dani's meeting yesterday with Senator Brett, she just received a message from the family's lawyers, setting up an appointment with her today.

Based on her conversation yesterday with the Senator, it appeared that he was amicable with her plans. However, she could not be too complaisant in such a handshake agreement because it might still change. 

After he consulted with his lawyers, there was every chance that his counsel might give him other options that she had not thought of before. After all, she was still a rookie compared to them.

"Jacky, get me, Ria. I need to talk to her right away." She shouted to Jacky, who was busy at her table.

She just hanged up a phone conversation with Ria about the latest development. She told her that she did not have to be present in the negotiation. She will hear what the other parties had prepared and tell her later all about it.

"What's going on?" Jacky entered her room after the call she made to Ria, probably noticing the excitement in her voice.

"Brett's lawyers are on their way to talk about settlement. I hope that we can get a good offer so that Ria could finally get her life back and not worry too much about her baby." Dani stated, feeling amazing about herself. 

If she managed to make them agree with her terms, then Ria would win her case. They would not need to go to court, something she would like to avoid for Ria and the baby's sake.

"That's good news if they finally agreed to settle. Maybe whatever you said to the Senator made him think about Ria and the baby's condition." Jacky told her.

"Nah. I don't think so. I believe the Senator was more concerned with the image of their family if this ever came to court and publicized." She offered her opinion on the matter.

"Yeah. That is more plausible." Jacky stated as she moved to sit on the chair. "What exactly did you say to him? Did you threaten him or something?"

"Of course not. I don't resort to dirty tactics. Although, I did explain to the Senator the repercussion if they refused to cooperate. The possibility of the press finding out because she will file the case if she had to." She explained to her.

She believed that Ryan Brett was not afraid to be sued since the other lawyers backed out once they learned who they were going against compared to who they would be representing. 

However, with a person like her, plus the backing of a reputable firm, going after them, they were now finally taking Ria's case more seriously. They were now willing to discuss the matter.

"Oh! You are smart." Jacky complimented as she stood up from her seat. "Better leave you now so you can prepare for your meeting." Jacky walked out of the room, leaving her with her thoughts.

After an hour, she walked into the conference room, where three lawyers were already waiting for her. Fortunately, Evan agreed to accompany her in the meeting, more of moral support.

The meeting commenced with both parties discussing the merit of the case. Dani informed them of their conditions, which in her opinion, were quite fair to both parties. 

"What if my client refused to subject himself to a paternity test?" One of the lawyers asked, fishing for a way to salvage their case.

"Then, that is his right. But my client is prepared to bring this to court if your client will continue to deny acknowledging that the child is his." She knew that the Senator already instructed his lawyers to rattle her.

But not today. Those times, she went home frustrated because powerful and wealthy people got away with their wrong deeds were long gone. She was here to fight with the backing of this massive firm and its entire resources.

"As I told Senator Brett, we are prepared to take this to court because my client is determined to settle this for her child. The child that your client fathered but not manly enough to take his responsibility." She kept her voice as neutral as possible.

Men like Ryan and the Senator made her blood boil because of their hypocrisy. They appeared saints in the eyes of the people, but they were the devil in disguise. 

"As Ms. Hamilton already stated, our firm will take this case to court if your client continues to refuse our generous offer for settlement. I believe my client will lose nothing if this becomes a media frenzy, but yours might have some issues with it." Evan finally gave his opinion on the matter to support Dani's claims.

The head of the opposing team finally took over the conversation. "It is clear that my client would be the one in the losing end of this deal in the long run." He finally acknowledged that they could not win the case without creating a colossal scandal for their client.

Dani and Evan only nodded in affirmation of his assessment but remained silent as they waited for him to continue.

"My client has given me the authority to offer your client with this settlement." He pulled out an already prepared folder and pushed it across the table towards Dani.

Dani immediately scanned the file, checking the pertinent contents of the file. "This looks fair, but give me a day to review and confer this with my client." She told their visitors.

She hoped that her voice did not sound like she was already rejoicing, but she could feel her heart almost skipping a beat. She just won her first pro bono case in this firm against a giant. 

Finally, the other party made their excuse and left Dani and Evan alone in the room. With a huge grin, she smiled at Evan and handed him the file. Evan looked at it and nodded in agreement.

"You certainly impressed me. You are learning fast. Keep it up. We are not wrong to have you in the team." Evan handed the file back to her before standing up. 

"I will take that as a compliment. By the way, I appreciate the help earlier." She said to Evan as both walked out of the conference room. 

She smiled to herself, tapping the folder in her hands with a renewed spirit. It is her first win against a big fish, but it would not be her last.