Chapter 258
Charlotte replied with a smile, “Of course. If Lena recommended you, I have nothing to worry about.”
Scott felt a twinge of disappointment
“So… she really doesn’t remember me,” he silently remarked
Still smiling, he took out his phone and said, “Let’s exchange contact info. We can set up a time to talk more later.”
“Sure.” Charlotte pulled out her phone and exchanged contact.
Lena gently stirred her coffee, her tone light and trusing “Lottie, don’t let Scott’s three years of experience fool you. My brother says he’s already made quite a name for himself in intellectual property law. His firm handled several of my brother’s IP cases and he’s never lost a single one.
Н
Charlotte looked slightly surprised, her gaze returning to Scott. “You’ve already accomplished that much? I’m genuinely impressed.”
Typically, an attomey with just over three years of practice was only beginning to move past the cookie phase and was still in the process of building experience. Most lawyers who earned industry–wide recognition had at least seven or eight years under their belts, sometimes even a decade or more.
Scott had graduated the same year she did. For him to have already made a name for himself in the field of intellectual property law was undeniably impressive.
Charlotte had always been ambitious. She truly loved her profession and had long set her sights on becoming a top–tier attorney–one of the best in the industry. So when she encountered someone like Scott, it was only natural for her to feel a genuine sense of admiration.
If she had no interest in him at first, she could now admit that she was beginning to respect and appreciate him,
She smiled, her praise sincere, “I didn’t expect you to be this accomplished at such a young age. It would be an honor to partner with you.’
Scott’s reply was gracious, his tone gentle. “You’re too modest, Miss Riley ”
Mia, sitting nearby, mumbled under her breath, “They’re a perfect match. Seriously.”
Lena let out a quiet laugh and nudged her. “Stop saying stuff like that.”
“I’m just being honest,” Mia whispered back. “Don’t you think they’re perfect together? Both lawyers, tons in common, and let’s be real—they look amazing side by side. I’m kind of shipping them already.”
Charlotte looked slightly embarrassed. She turned to Scort and said apologetically, “Ignore her. My friend has a habit of joking around.”
Scom smiled easily, completely unbothered. “No offense taken.”
They continued chatting for a while longer.
Mostly, Mia took the lead, firing off questions to Scott. They covered everything from college days to post–grad work. Mia was completely engrossed
Then, suddenly, she asked with mock seriousness, “Okay, real talk–why did you reject my deniession back in college?”
Scott Instinctively glanced at Charlotte, who was off to the side chatting with Lena about a recent fashion show and hadn’t heard the question.
Mia, as usual, was too carefree to notice the way
y his gaze
had lingered on Charlotte.
Scott quickly looked away and offered a polite, detached smile. “I liked someone else at the time.”
Mia blinked in surprise “Wait, you did? Who?”
Scott just lowered lads gaze, smiled quietly, and didn’t answer.
Mia tilted her head, still suspicious. When Scott didn’t answer, a sudden thought struck her. Her eyes widened, and she slapped a hand over her mouth in
“Wait… don’t sell ine–you’re pay?”
He hadn’t seen that coming. The coffer he had just sipped caught in his throat, and he coughed twice, startled.
Charlotte turned sharply at the word gay, looking surprised.
ie trailed off, unsure whether to finish the sentence.
“No, no.” Scott waved his hand, still coughing slightly. “Definitely not. I’m straight.”
Mia gave him a suspicious side–eye. “Then why won’t you say who you liked?”
Just as Scott opened his mouth to answer, a cold male voice cut through the air behind them.
“What are you all laughing about?”
