Chapter 187 David, Go Ask Mom and Dad in Heaven
Not only was David shocked, but Lily was surprised too.
She had heard of Ronald's name before—he was famous and really good at what he did.
Even the Roberts family's defense lawyer jumped up excitedly. "Mr. Ford, I had no idea you would be the opposing counsel. I'm so sorry."
"Nothing to be sorry about. We're all just doing our jobs. Please, sit down." Ronald was very friendly. He came over to Lily's side. "Ms. Roberts, I looked over the materials on my way here. What outcome are you looking for?"
The outcome of the lawsuit?
Lily hadn't expected the lawyer who showed up to have such credentials.
This case was definitely in the bag then.
David couldn't help but speak up, "Lily, think carefully before you answer. Think about what I just told you. Michael is willing to give you the whole company—surely that's worth more than a salary from Maple Leaf Corporation?"
Lily looked at him. "That's not what you said just now."
That was quite the quick change of tune.
David glanced over at Ronald. He didn't want to do this either, but if Ronald was handling the case, they had no chance of winning.
Ronald usually only worked for the Gonzalez family and never personally handled small cases.
Let alone a case that had nothing to do with the Gonzalez family at all. Had Lily hired him?
That was impossible!
Lily saw a look of panic on David's face. She looked at Ronald and said, "I want to win. I want the people who did wrong to pay the price."
That was the outcome she wanted.
When Austin heard this, he stared at Lily in disbelief.
He hadn't expected Lily to be this heartless.
David slammed the table. "Lily, if Mom and Dad knew you were sending your own brother to prison, could they rest in peace? When you were little, Austin was the one who played with you and looked after you. Have you forgotten?"
"I haven't forgotten. I can't forget any of that," Lily said seriously.
Besides that, there was everything else the Roberts family had done to her over the years.
And how she died miserably after being abandoned in her last life.
She didn't owe the Roberts family anything anymore.
Just as Lily was about to speak, Ronald tapped the table. "Mr. Roberts, you cannot threaten or intimidate my client."
"She's my sister. I'm teaching her."
"Ms. Roberts is an adult, not a pet raised by the Roberts family. She doesn't need others telling her what to do."
Ronald's words were equally sharp.
Afterward, the lawyers from both sides spoke, and Ronald rejected the pre-trial settlement.
David was instantly speechless. He turned to look at Austin. "It's not that I don't want to help you. I tried my best."
With Ronald on Lily's side now, they were sure to lose the case.
Austin gave a bitter smile but said nothing.
Lily sneered, "Mr. Roberts, you could actually take all the responsibility for him yourself."
David's expression froze for a moment, then he flew into a rage. "Lily, stop being so sarcastic! Can you face Mom and Dad?"
When Lily heard him mention their parents, her heart inexplicably ached.
She stood up, her expression calm. "Well, you could die and go ask Mom and Dad yourself."
After all, she had already died once.
After saying this, Lily gathered her documents and left. She really didn't want to stay in the same space as the Roberts family people.
"Lily, how dare you curse me?"
David wanted to chase after her and confront Lily, but when he saw Ronald, he instantly calmed down.
He said politely to Ronald, "Mr. Ford, I didn't expect someone as busy as you to have time to handle such a small case. Do you know Lily?"
He had no idea Lily knew such an important person.
"I'm representing Maple Leaf Corporation's case, at someone's request."
Ronald's words left David even more confused. Who could possibly have hired Ronald?
David wanted to ask more, but Ronald didn't give him the chance and walked out as well.
David angrily pounded the table. Damn it!
Did he really have to watch Austin get sent to prison, and by his own sister, no less?
If word of this got out, he'd become a laughingstock in Empire City circles.
He needed to find out who had hired Ronald.
Could it be related to the Gonzalez family?
Outside, Lily stood by the window getting some air.
"Lily, don't feel too down. After all, it's all over Empire City's legal circles—no one will take Maple Leaf Corporation's case. That's just reality."
Sophie arrived late, with Ethan by her side.
The two had come specifically to watch the drama unfold.
Lily turned her head and saw Sophie dressed up in a flashy way. Her lips twitched.
Sophie was now wearing heavy makeup and a form-fitting dress. It actually didn't look as good as her previous innocent style.
It felt a bit overdone.
Ethan had his arm around Sophie's waist, showing off to Lily. "Lily, I warned you before—this is Empire City. You can't beat us here."
"That's right, Lily. You might as well drop the lawsuit to avoid losing too badly," Sophie said with slight smugness.
Lily looked mockingly. "Who said I'm dropping the lawsuit?"
"You can't even find a lawyer. If you don't drop it, you'll just end up humiliated!" Just as Sophie finished speaking, Ronald walked over.
When Ethan saw Ronald, his eyes lit up. "Mr. Ford, what are you doing here? Does the Gonzalez family have a case?"
Ronald replied politely, "Not exactly. I'm here to handle a case at someone's request."
Sophie saw Ethan being so polite to this lawyer and asked quietly, "Who is he?"
"This is Mr. Ronald Ford, a big shot in the legal world. He's currently the chief attorney for the Gonzalez family and rarely takes cases anymore. Running into him at the courthouse is pretty rare."
Sophie immediately looked surprised. So he was such a famous lawyer, and connected to the top family, the Gonzalez family, no less.
Lily turned and handed the documents to Ronald. "These are the materials I organized. Please take a look first."
After all, she hadn't known Ronald would be taking the case before.
It seemed Eric had some real pull.
Sophie slapped the documents out of Lily's hands. "Lily, do you have no shame? You heard he's a famous lawyer, and you're shamelessly trying to hand him your documents? Stop embarrassing the Roberts family, will you?"
The documents were scattered all over the floor.
Ethan also said mockingly, "Lily, I know you're desperate because you can't find a lawyer, but look at who Mr. Ford is. How could he possibly take your small case? Stop making a fool of yourself."
Sophie was about to mock her more when she spotted David and his group coming out.
So Sophie immediately changed her tune. "Lily, I know you're anxious to win the case, but you can't force Mr. Ford to take your small case. He doesn't even know you. This is very rude."
Lily slapped her across the face. "The rude one here is you!"
Sophie was hit out of nowhere. Her expression twisted for a moment, then she immediately threw herself into Ethan's arms in tears.
Ethan's protective instincts kicked in. "Lily, how dare you hit someone in public? Don't you know this is a courthouse?"
David walked over. "What's going on?"
Sophie's eyes brimmed with tears. "David, don't blame Lily. I know she's desperate to win the case and shamelessly handed her documents to Mr. Ford, trying to get the big lawyer to take her case.
I tried to stop her out of kindness, but she hit me."
Though Sophie said not to blame Lily, she deliberately showed her slapped face.
David saw the handprint and raised his hand to hit Lily. "Look what you've done!"
Lily punched David's hand away, making him break out in a cold sweat from the pain.
Sophie quickly stepped forward. "Lily, what are you doing... Ah!"
Lily backhanded Sophie with another slap. Day after day, this was so annoying. "You stepped on my documents. Get lost if you don't want to die!"
Sophie's face instantly swelled up as she screamed, "Lily, you're the one who shamelessly gave Mr. Ford your documents. You're the shameless one!"
Ronald pushed up his glasses. "I am her lawyer."