Trapped with a Lawyer

Samuel didn't know how long he had searched, but it felt like a long time had passed before he managed to find the taxi Ella was in. It was heading for Emerald Community. Samuel stepped on the gas and drove the car 150 yards, quickly weaving into other lanes, and cutting off other cars.

He ignored the other drivers shouting and swearing, and finally overtook the taxi. He swung the steering wheel and his Lamborghini veered into a sidelong position across the road.

No one dared say anything, seeing such an expensive car complete a maneuver like this.

The taxi's brakes squealed to a stop; Ella's forehead banged against the seat.

As she rubbed her aching forehead, she thought gloomily: "More trouble! When will it end?"

Before she could even complete this thought, the back door of the taxi was opened, and she was dragged out.

Samuel treated her like a ragdoll and pushed her into the car in front of the dumbfounded crowd which had gathered around.

After he did all this in one go, without any hiccups, Samuel rounded the other side of the Lamborghini and got in. In Ella's dazed state, she hadn't taken in much of what was going on, and didn't even notice him punch the ignition. In a moment, he was out of sight again.

Two minutes later, the drivers of the other cars were still standing around flabbergasted, lost for words.

In the car.

Ella collected herself and calmly leaned back in the car seat, without saying a word. She didn't know what she could say, actually. She could only think about how embarrassing she must have appeared, to be involved into such a scandal.

"What's on your mind?" Samuel tried to hold her little hands, but she brushed him away.

She only had distrust for him.

And then, he said, "Ella, don't misunderstand me. You'll let Molly down if you act like this. How sad she will be if she knows you don't trust her at all."

"Samuel," Ella murmured, "I trust Molly, but I don't trust you."

'Am I really that terrible?' he thought sadly.

'Not one man is good! They even flirt with their wife's best friends!

"You've got it all wrong, babe." He turned the car around and drove for the villa district where The Royal Mansion was.

Upon hearing her husband's plea, she tried to hide her smile. She was secretly pleased, but there was only despair written on her face.

Samuel dropped her off at the door of the villa, and put it in park.

As he got out, he saw Ella under the streetlight walking toward the gate.

Ah! Wrong way! It killed him to see her so upset.

Samuel quickened his pace to catch her again.

Ella was thumbing through her phone, chatting with Molly on Wechat: "I know. Don't worry. I'm not going to quarrel with him."

Do not quarrel with him? she echoed. That's impossible! He filled her with jealousy. If she wouldn't quarrel with him, and have it out with him now, then all her tears would be for nothing. And it would happen again, no doubt.

Hearing the footsteps behind her, Ella clicked her phone into standby, and put on a despairing face once more.

Soon, Ella was in his warm arms. She smiled, and buried in his chest, secretly.

"Babe, it's so late. Where are you going?"

"I'm leaving."

"Don't. Are you crazy? Who knows what kind of perverts are out there on the streets at this hour." He pulled back to look at her.

"Either I go, or you get out of here!" Ella said frostily.

"I'm not going anywhere." He stroked her back and led her back to the villa, marching quickly.

"Samuel! Stop! Stop pulling me!" His pinch was uncomfortable on her arm.

She flapped her hands feebly and hit him several times on his shoulder; it dealt no more of a blow than an itch for Samuel, so he continued his trot to the front door.

"Wait... I'm all yours, okay? Just quit pinching me."

Hearing that, Samuel slowed his

pace, but not by much. He then opened the front door of the villa, went into the parlour, and locked the door behind him. Ella was standing in the entryway, sour-looking, but in need of comfort.

Ella leaned on his shoulder and felt a little bit dizzy. She muttered, "Why are you doing this to me? Why are you acting like such a jerk?"

Samuel gave her shoulder a squeeze before piloting her again. They headed up the staircase.

Samuel didn't expect to meet a little girl halfway to the bedroom. He turned on one of the hallway lamps, which was so dim that they could barely make out her figure. Even so, however, he knew that it was Jane.

Jane was coming downstairs to get a photo album, but instinctively hid as soon as she saw Samuel.

Seeing her now crouching behind a huge vase, Samuel had mixed emotions.

Ella continued to lean on Samuel's shoulder out of dizziness with her eyes shut.

But she opened them now as Samuel's walking halted abruptly. What did he see?

Samuel let go of Ella and ousted the little girl out from behind the vase. He grabbed her hand and pulled. She appeared with her head lowered.

"Uncle Samuel, I didn't mean it. I didn't know you would come back."

"Jane!" Ella grew disturbed to see Jane so frightened.

She wanted to step forward to hug her little girl, but Samuel stopped her.

Samuel crouched down, with a powerfully stern look on his face. "Jane, didn't I tell your brother to tell you, you have no need to fear me? So don't hide."

His voice was very peaceful, which made Jane gradually calm down.

Jane always thought Samuel didn't like her and didn't want to see her.

"I... I...don't wanna annoy Uncle Samuel." Her voice was soft, but deeply hurt the two adults' contempt.

'I have to tell Samuel, ' Ella thought with tears in her eyes. 'I don't want Jane to get hurt because of my mistake.'

Samuel rose and Ella stutted, "Actually, Jane is..."

"Relax babe," said Samuel, putting an index finger to her lips, "I won't give her a hard time." He assumed she felt pity for Jane.

Even if the girl was not his own daughter, Samuel wouldn't do anything to hurt her.

Ella removed his hand anxiously. "No, Samuel, what I am trying to say is that Jane..."

"Mom, I am fine. Don't quarrel with Uncle Samuel, please." Jane was at Ella's knee, grabbing her clothes.

The two adults were touched by Jane's innocence and peace-keeping. But when Samuel crouched down and tried to talk with Jane, Jane lowered her head again. The light was so dim that Jane was shrouded over in darkness.

"Jane. We're not quarreling, I

not

promise. I'm trying to tell you that this is your own home, and you can Whatever you want, just like your brother" No matter whose daughter she was, a child will always be the most innocent of adults' disputes.

Jane raised her head in surprise. "Uncle Samuel, is that true?"

She felt a tentative closeness to Samuel, but if he knew her true identity, would he be just as gentle?

She wished that he was not one of

that

the richest men in the world. She didn't like celebrities. She wished her father was just an ordinary person, so he wouldn't have to worry about another child to split his fortune with.

She hated money. Money only made people worse. ☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐☐