Chapter 62: Let’s battle it out
Mara sat by the large window in the Shepherd mansion’s sunlit sitting room, her fingers drumming restlessly on the arm of the chair. The view outside was beautiful, lush gardens, a sparkling fountain, and the distant skyline of the city but it did nothing to ease her growing frustration. She had been cooped up for what felt like an eternity, and the inactivity was driving her mad.
"I can’t just sit here anymore," she muttered to herself, her voice tinged with irritation. "I need to do something."
As if on cue, Steve Shepherd walked into the room, his usual confident stride carrying him toward her. He held a thick folder in his hand, his expression calm but calculating.
"You look restless," he said, his tone light but observant.
Mara turned to him, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Restless? I’ve been resting for days, Steve. I’m not used to sitting around doing nothing. I need to work. I need to feel useful."
Steve studied her for a moment, then nodded as if he had been expecting this. "Alright, I hear you sent Celeb away," he said, handing her the folder. "If you’re ready to get back into it, I’ve got something for you."
Mara took the folder, her curiosity immediately piqued. She opened it, her eyes scanning the first page. "The Bennett case? Forget about Celeb, he was invading my personal space," she asked, looking up at him.
"Yes," Steve replied, taking a seat across from her. "We’re representing the Bennett family. Mr. Harold Bennett’s estate is suing Lackman Enterprises for unethical and illegal practices during the acquisition of Bennett’s company. They’re claiming that Lackman’s actions directly led to Harold’s emotional and financial collapse, which ultimately caused his death. It’s a high-profile case, and it’s going to be a tough fight."
Mara’s eyes lit up as she flipped through the documents. This was exactly what she needed—a challenge, a chance to dive back into the world of law and strategy. But something about the case felt... familiar.
"Lackman Enterprises," she murmured, her brow furrowing. "Why does that name sound so familiar?"
Steve leaned back, his expression unreadable. "It’s one of the largest conglomerates in the city. You’ve probably heard of them in the news. But more importantly, their lead counsel is Ethan Anderson."