Marriage Resumption (Valeria and Hackett)

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The old lady retorted, "You're talking nonsense! I never laid a hand on my daughter! She committed suicide in company. Shouldn't you take some responsibility? And now you bring a lawyer to intimidate us. You're truly going too far!" The old lady looked at Hackett. She felt a slight fear due to his imposing stature. So, she began to use disruptive tactics. As an old couple, she was confident that no one would dare to harm them.

After a moment, Hackett released the old lady's hand and spoke with a deep voice, "Do you really think what you did to your daughter in the company that day went unnoticed?"

This old couple was indeed quite naive. They probably thought that public opinion would lean toward their side.

The old man stepped forward and shielded his wife behind him, saying, "What are you talking about? What did we do?

just a helpless old couple trying to seek justice. Why is it so difficult?"

"Mr. James, you don't need to trouble yourself to speak on this matter. I'll handle it, Valeria said. She feared he might reveal something about the surveillance footage and give the opposing lawyer a new angle. dare to

Hackett didn't say anything more and sat back in the observer's seat. He said slowly. "If you dare to lay à hand again, you'll be thrown out directly. Don't even think about getting a penny. We'll meet in court."

With these words, not only the old couple but even the opposing lawyer seemed a bit flustered.

After all, James Group's luxury legal team might not necessarily lose if they really went to court.

The opposing lawyer began to pull the old couple aside and discuss in a low voice.

"Sir, madam, I think we should moderate our demands. Otherwise, in the end, we might not get a single penny. Some of the evidence at hand is very unfavorable for our side.

The old man and the old lady looked at each other. They realized the gravity of the situation.

They wanted compensation, but they didn't want to really go to court. It would take a long time to settle the lawsuit if they went to court. Then, it would be ages before they received any compensation.

Valeria crossed her arms, squinting slightly as she watched the old couple and the opposing lawyer muttering over there. She did not know what they were saying. They had been discussing for almost half an hour.

She looked at her wrist for the time. It was almost noon. She couldn't help but speak up, "Mr. Byrd, how about you go back and discuss it first before coming back to negotiate? It's almost upon, and I have things to do in the afternoon." "Well... I think we can consider reducing the amount in terms of compensation. After all, the deceased should be respected. We want Nancy to rest in peace, and we don't want this matter to escalate to court," the opposing lawyer said Valeria smiled. She knew this would be the outcome. These old couple were simply taking advantage of their daughter's misfortune while pretending to be pitiful.

After a morning of negotiations, the old couple still insisted on an exorbitant amount. They reduced it from 22 million dollars to 20 million dollars, which was still unreasonable. So, James Group decided to leave it to the court. After having lunch in the company cafeteria, Valeria prepared to attend to her own law office matters.

As she wiped her mouth, she couldn't help but smile, which was noticed by Hackett.

"What are you laughing at?" Hackett asked.

Valeria replied. "I feel quite dedicated these days. I always clock in on time for work"

07:50

Tue, Nov 19

Hackett also smiled. He then remembered Clayton's request.

He said, "Do you have time this weekend? We can have dinner at the Maddox family's place and bring Alex along."

Initially, he wanted to persuade Valeria more tactfully, but he realized it wouldn't be appropriate. It was better to be straightforward and let her decide for herself.

Valeria's smile disappeared instantly. She looked down in silence for a long time before asking, "Did Clayton ask you to be a mediator?"

"Sort of, but I only plan to be a messenger. He didn't want to get involved, especially when Valeria was so opposed to it.

Valeria lowered her head and let out a soft laugh. She had been avoiding this matter for days. She did not want to bring it up or hear anyone mention it.

But sooner or later, she would have to face it. The truth was, she was indeed Clayton's biological daughter. It was a fact that was confirmed by a paternity test.

Seeing her remain silent, Hackett said, "If you don't want to acknowledge the Maddox family members as your family, then don't. No matter what, you now know you don't have a despicable father like Ben. That's enough. You don't have to feel guilty or embarrassed about anything he did anymore. It has nothing to do with you."

He knew that Valeria had always felt inferior because of her gambling-addicted father. Now, she could finally hold her head high.

Valeria let out a deep sigh. "But Loretta seems to be quite pitiful. They also didn't want to lose their daughter. These past few days, I've sometimes wondered, if I hadn't been lost, would we have gotten married for some inexplicable reason? Would we have given birth the adorable Alex? It seems like all of this was destined from the start,"

Hackett's dark eyes flickered slightly, and he chuckled softly. "Of course not, but I might have known you for twenty years

Valeria met Hackett's deep gaze with a somewhat puzzled expression.

Hackett smiled and said. "In the first year you were lost, Clayton joined James Group. At the end-of-year celebration, he showed up with his whole family. I was also there. If you hadn't been lost, we might have met then."

For a brief moment, Valeria's heart skipped a beat.

If she hadn't been lost, would she and Hackett have grown up together?

But then she found the thought amusing. Even if they had met earlier, there was no guarantee Hackett would have liked her. Hackett asked, "Are you wondering if there would have been a spark between us if we had met earlier?" Valeria remained silent.

It seemed like this man could truly read minds. Valeria's gaze was a bit flustered, and she quickly looked away. "No." However, Hackett smiled. He put his hands in his pockets and looked ahead at the green plants. "It's possible." "Four years ago, you didn't like me, but you think you would have liked me twenty years ago when we were kids?" Valeria looked disdainful. She couldn't believe it.

In the next moment, Hackett gazed at her profile. His expression was sincere and affectionate. "When I look at that photo, I think the younger you

seemed quite charming. Even more so than Elsie."

In that photo, Valeria and Elsie stood together, but their looks were vastly different.

"Are you saying you would have liked me as a child?" Valeria had almost forgotten what she looked like as a child. She hadn't

taken many photos. Moreover, her despicable father, Ben, didn't even provide enough food, let alone nice clothes.

Hackett nodded. "I quite liked it. You had a lively look."

Valeria had also seen childhood photos of him in the James family. He was a cool and handsome little boy, exuding a mature charm at such a young age. But his expression was always so stern, making him seem unapproachable. Thinking of this, Valeria couldn't help but laugh.

Hackett furrowed his brows and asked, "What are you laughing now?"

Valeria replied, "I remembered your childhood photos. You looked quite unapproachable."

Hackett wore a faint smile. "Is that so? Do you like it?"