Do You Still Love Me When We Meet Again? (Aubrey and Damon) novel Chapter 72

Chapter 72

Aubrey finished putting away the clothes, then moved closer to the balcony railing, tilting her head back to look at the pitch–black sky.

It was heavy and starless, the moon itself swallowed by the inky blackness.

She stood for a while, but the summer breeze felt rather sultry. She’d already showered and dreaded getting sweaty again, so she turned and went inside, closing the sliding glass door to the balcony and drawing the curtains.

She had work tomorrow and needed an early night.

Having trouble falling asleep, she increased her dosage of sleeping pills, then turned off the lights and went to bed.

Downstairs.

Damon slumped against his car door, his gaze fixed on the darkened third–floor balcony.

The light was out. Was she asleep already?

He pulled out his phone to check the time, a jolt of surprise running through him.

It was already eleven–thirty. Without realizing it, he’d been standing there for over four hours. Time certainly flew.

He opened the door and settled into the driver’s seat, still unable to bring himself to leave. He stayed quietly for another half an hour, not driving out of the complex until the early hours of the morning.

The next morning, he went to work on time. After work, as if compelled by an unseen force, he drove his car back into the complex, parking it on the main road below her building.

Even if he couldn’t see her, just being in her vicinity gave him a sense of not being far, bringing him a strange peace and fulfillment, easing the ache of his yearning.

As dusk settled, her slender figure appeared in the complex, her steps heavy, carrying a small bag in her hand that was unmistakably takeout.

He sat in his car, a bleakness settling over him as he watched Aubrey’s exhausted figure walk past his vehicle and disappear inside the apartment building.

A light came on in her third–floor window for a brief moment, then flickered off.

Night after night, this became his ritual. He’d drive to her building almost every evening after work, parking outside and only leaving once the lights in her apartment finally went dark.

His departure was entirely dictated by when Aubrey finally went to sleep.

Even with such a desperate yearning to see her, he never once allowed himself to go upstairs, to her door.

He just didn’t want to intrude on her life, her work, wanting her to have the space to truly settle into New Haven City.

A week into her new job.

Aubrey had grown accustomed to the work environment and its pace, though her interactions with colleagues remained largely superficial.

Among her colleagues, there was one senior lawyer who made no secret of his disdain for her.

On her first day, Garrett Miller ran a hand over his balding head, his eyes narrowed as he looked her up and down with a condescending gaze. He spoke in a teasing, sarcastic tone: “Hills Law Firm paid top dollar to bring in a young woman. Is it to add some dazzling color to our firm and boost our collective attractiveness?”

The remark, both subtle and overt, implied she was nothing more than a pretty face.

When Vincent introduced her resume, Garrett quipped again: “Young Ms. Hayes, in our line of work, it’s all about qualifications and experience. Just get a feel for the environment first; you won’t be able to handle the big cases.”

While saying these things to her face, he privately joked with other colleagues that Vincent had only hired her for her looks, paying top dollar for a pretty face. He believed that as a young female lawyer, she was too emotional and lacked decisiveness.

Aubrey had a rather idle week at the firm, occasionally helping colleagues with files or lending a hand.

Garrett Miller had been in this line of work for over a decade, a calculating veteran with a wealth of experience.

From her very first day, he’d relentlessly equated her beauty with incompetence. The forty–something man was a nosy gossip, and for reasons Aubrey couldn’t fathom, he was always trying to get her attention, subtly and overtly flaunting his superiority while constantly undermining her abilities, all to

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trumpet his own excellence.

The weekly team meeting.

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Over a dozen top–tier lawyers, Vincent’s secretary, and Aubrey herself were gathered around the conference table in the office.

Vincent placed a stack of case files on the table.

“Some of these cases already have assigned lawyers,” he announced, “but there are also a few tough ones, real hard nuts to crack that no one else in the industry has been willing to touch. Let’s start distributing them.”

As he spoke, he went through each case one by one, handing them out.

Suddenly, he mentioned, “Evans Corp has a massive commercial dispute case worth two hundred million dollars, and the contingency fee is five percent…”

Numerous lawyers saw the new case as a plum opportunity, eager to throw their hats into the ring. Garrett, naturally, wanted a piece of the action. He postured with an air of absolute certainty: “Vincent,” he declared, “considering my seniority and skill, I’m the one with the best shot at winning.”

Vincent offered a faint, almost dismissive smile: “You can all stop bickering over it,” he said. “Mr. Evans has already designated a lawyer to take the lead.”

“Who?” A collective gasp went through the room as everyone exchanged bewildered glances.

‘It’s Ms. Hayes’s case,” Vincent announced, sliding the file across the table toward Aubrey.

The announcement left everyone stunned, their gazes immediately snapping to the beautiful lawyer who had only just started at the firm.

She was a junior lawyer, fresh to New Haven City, and not exactly a product of the traditional legal pedigree. She’d spent her career until now on pro–bono cases–defending women and children, and helping underprivileged clients recover their wages.

And they expected this lawyer to handle a major corporate dispute?

It was like trying to take down a bull with a sewing needle.

Naturally, everyone was stunned, and more than a little resentful.

Aubrey was surprised too. Opening the file, the reason immediately clicked when she saw the company owner’s name.

The plaintiff in this commercial dispute was Alex, the man who’d been pursuing her.

Garrett Miller raised an eyebrow, a cold smirk playing on his lips, and drawled sarcastically: “This Mr. Foster wouldn’t happen to be Aubrey’s admirer, would he? Otherwise, why would he be so reckless, handing over a two–hundred–million–dollar commercial dispute case for her to ‘play‘ with?”

At his words, everyone bit back smiles, exchanging knowing glances.

Aubrey took a deep breath, then handed the case file to Garrett Miller: “Here, Mr. Miller.”

Garrett Miller scoffed: “Oh, I wouldn’t dare. Mr. Foster specifically requested you to represent him.”

Aubrey’s voice was soft, her smile sweet, but the words she spoke were as sharp as knives: “If you don’t dare take it, then shut up.”

The words hung in the air, stunning every lawyer in the room.

Garrett Miller bristled, stunned. He couldn’t believe a new hire, fresh out of the gate, would speak to him like that.

His rage flared instantly, and he narrowed his cold eyes at Aubrey.

Aubrey, however, remained perfectly composed. She looked like a portrait of serene elegance, quiet and easily overlooked. But beneath that gentle

acade, no one understood the fierce, unyielding core she truly possessed.

Her quiet nature made her formidable; she could wound without ever showing her hand.

Vincent quickly stepped in, diffusing the palpable tension that had settled over the room: “Alright, there’s another case,” he announced, “one that every lawyer in New Haven City has shied away from. Who among you is willing to take it?”

“What case?”

“A class–action environmental pollution lawsuit: a massive chemical plant in the suburbs of Miller’s Creek discharged wastewater, sickening villagers. The case is low profit, with scarce evidence, and the defendant is Vance Corp–a massively wealthy conglomerate.”

Everyone shook their heads, none daring to touch that hot potato.

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Class action lawsuits for local residents–those cases were practically pro bono. The returns were next to nothing; honestly, you were more likely to lose money. The meager attorney’s fees barely covered the travel costs, let alone all the legwork involved in collecting evidence.

The thing is, these chemical companies dumping toxic waste definitely have powerful local ties. You could easily lose your job, or even worse, your life.

No lawyer in New Haven City would touch this case–not one. And across the entire country, the risk was deemed too monumental for anyone to dare

take it on.

Everyone had already written the case off, assuming it was dead in the water. That’s when Aubrey stood, reaching out her hand to Vincent: “Mr. Hall,” she declared, her voice firm, “Give it to me.”

The moment the words left her mouth, an abrupt silence fell over the entire office, so profound you could almost hear a pin drop.

All eyes whipped to Aubrey, their mouths agape, utterly stunned and speechless.

Vincent’s eyes were alight with admiration. He hadn’t misjudged her at all. Aubrey had the same fierce determination he’d possessed in his younger days.

“Stay safe and tread carefully, Aubrey.” Vincent handed her the case file. “If you need any help, don’t hesitate to ask. Our entire team has your back.”

Aubrey took it, her expression composed and confident, and nodded.

Garrett Miller scoffed: “Aubrey, are you not understanding this, or just deliberately ignoring it? Do you think this case is a game? Don’t just take on every case that comes along to show off or be a hero in front of your colleagues.”

Aubrey offered him a small, tight smile, her eyes holding a dangerous glint. The thought of speaking another word to him exhausted her.

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