Chapter 70 We Go Messy
Adrian's POV
The door of my office pushes open and I snap my head to look at who barge into my office.
My secretary rushes in panting heavily but it's a good thing that he doesn't bother to get close to me.
I raise my eyebrow to look at him, pushing the documents away. I watch as he tries to catch his breath.
"Boss... there are people here from the court!" He stutters, as he holds his chest.
"And I suppose you know the reason for his visit before interrupting me like that?" I remove my glasses.
He shakes his head. "They claim to be here for you specifically and wouldn't want to publicize the reason for their visit."
A sick feeling settles in the pit of my stomach.
It doesn't matter if the public knows about it nor later. If the case escalates in the future, there will be no more hiding.
"Let them in!" I order. He nods and run out.
Whatever this is, I know it's not mere coincidence. However, I'm prepared for what ever comes my way.
As if on cue, Darcy calls.
I swipe the screen, answering the call.
"Hey baby," I pinch the bridge of my nose.
"Hi, my love. I'm calling to check up on you. How is work going? Is everything over there?" She asks quietly.
The corners of my lips tug into a small smile but it doesn't reach my eyes. I don't dare tell her what's currently going on.
"Thank you baby. Yes, everything is going well. I'm just going through some documents," I reply.
"Alright. Don't skip lunch and if anything comes up, you can always tell me. We are not just a couple remember? We are partners," she reminds me.
I lean back against my chair, "of course, baby."
A knock lands on the door and it pushes open almost immediately. I zero my gaze on my secretary as he walks in with the male and female court officers trailing behind.
"Baby, can we talk later? I have some visitors now," I ask calmly, so she doesn't sense that something is amiss.
"Of course babe. Make sure to clock out of work early. I have good news for you."
My heart skips a beat. Good news?
She hasn't tell me what it is but that hint is enough to keep me going for the next new hours...or minutes.
"Sure. Bye. I love you," I say and soon the call ends.
"Sir, these are the lawyers," my secretary introduces.
I nod and wave him off. Directing my gaze back to them, the female looks awfully familiar. Goosebumps fill my skin.
I look at them with an expressionless face.
"Good day Mr. Ashford. I'm barrister Porter," the male says and points to the female besides him. "And this is barrister Quince."
Barrister Quince.
The Carlton family.
My jaw clenched as I maintain intense eyes contact with them especially Quince.
The nerve of her to show up again after our last encounter. Maybe Camille's family realize they need someone extremely intelligent to get me that's why they sent the man.
"What do you want?" I straighten my back, readjusting my cufflinks.
"I'm sure you already know the family I'm representing Mr. Ashford and I'd like you to cooperate," she speaks up with that arrogant smirk on her face.
"I believe we're done here." My voice drops.
The smirk slowly disappears and the other man clears his throat.
"I apologize for the rudeness but we're not done Mr. Ashford," he defends as he opens his suitcase to probably get something out.
I breathe heavily through my nose. The urge to kick them out but I stay quiet.
Even Quince can tell that I already have an idea why they're here and dismissing them will seem like I'm a coward. Scared off by a little attempt to destroy me.
Barrister Porter walks forward and stretches out the documents to me. I grab the chair arm but my face remains blank.
I look at the document and then at him.
From what I see, this man isn't smart enough to go against me.
The atmosphere in the air becomes tense.
As if realizing his mistake, he takes a step backward.
"We are representing the Carlton family and a lawsuit has been filed against you!" He finally announces.
A lawsuit.
My eyes darken and tighten my hands until my knuckles crack.
The audacity.
It's high time we settle our score. It's been long overdue. The longer this lingers, the more they meddle in my life.
"You've been served, Mr. Ashford. You can get your...." Quince starts but I raise my hand, cutting her off rudely.
"Explain to me why the lawyers of the defendants are the ones delivering the court papers. Shouldn't this be done by a sheriff or someone else?" I ask with calm voice.
"No one was willing to deliver it. Apparently, Mr. Ashford has a knack for scaring people away," Quince chips in.
A stiff smile plasters on my face. "Especially the reason I'm impressed by your bravery. It's commendable."
Porter steps forward and pulls Quince behind. "We're just doing our job, Mr. Ashford. Please, let's keep this professional."
"Leave!" I order and spin my chair around to face outside.
I hear his footsteps as he approach further to drop the papers on the table, followed by their retreating footsteps.
Even after hearing the stunt, they pulled while I was away, I didn't take it up against them but they keep on pushing me and this is the limit.
I don't need to read the papers to know what the lawsuit is about.
Hazel.
I'll have to deal with them first before I face the mysterious person who's still after our lives.
I dial my lawyer's number.
"Good day, Mr. Ashford,"
"Hmm. Come over to the office now."
"Yes, sir. I'll be on my way now," he replies and end the call.
A few seconds later, I call my fixer. He does all my dirty jobs.
"The Carlton..."
"Do you want me to handle it sir? Messy or civil?" Reynolds asks.
His question isn't new to me but for the first time, I hesitate. Not because I don't know what I want but because of a certain someone.
My woman.
One thing is certain, that family won't play fair.
"Both!" I answer.
"Dig up whatever dirt they have on them, including in the past years. First, handle it in a civil way and then if it doesn't bring fast results, we take the messy route," I explain.
"Noted, sir."
The door bursts open after twenty minutes and my lawyer - Maleek, walks in hurriedly.
I point to the court papers and he picks it up as he sits opposite me.
Maleek knows how we work so I don't have to talk too much. I stand up and walk towards the mini wine cellar in my office and pour myself a drink.
"What are their accusations?" I ask.
"They may not have concrete evidences but these are serious allegations."
I gulp the liquid and it burns my throat.
"Go ahead."
"Child neglect. Emotional abuse. Unsafe living conditions. Inappropriate third party. Mental instability." Maleek finish reading them.
The room goes silent for a moment.
The muscles in my shoulder tense. My eyes blaze, before smashing the glass cup against the wall.
My heartbeat increase and I loosen my necktie, rolling up the sleeves of my shirt.
I redial Reynolds number and he picks up immediately.
"We go messy!"