Berry and his friends arrived outside the towering, glass-paneled office of Lawyer Jasper Fox, nestled at the bustling heart of Frosty City. The building rose like a monument to wealth and power, its steel-gray windows reflecting the fading golden sun. Even standing outside, they could feel the pressure of stepping into a place meant for elites, people far beyond their troubled high school lives.
They scrambled out of the taxi, brushing their shirts, fixing their hair, and trying to calm their nerves. Their eyes roamed the enormous gold-lettered signage above the entrance: FOX & ASSOCIATES - LAWYERS OF THE ELITE.
Berry swallowed thickly, rubbing his sweaty palms on his jeans. "We got this," he muttered more to himself than to anyone else.
Inside, the cool blast of scented air conditioning greeted them. The reception area gleamed with polished marble floors, chandeliers dripping with crystal, and a massive fish tank built into the wall. A soft instrumental melody floated through the space like silk.
The receptionist, dressed immaculately in white and gold, smiled as they approached.
"Do you have an appointment, sir?"
"Yes ma'am!" Berry answered hurriedly, almost tripping over his words.
"Your name please?"
"Berry Hollis."
She tapped on her tablet. "Okay, come with me."
They followed her, their sneakers squeaking slightly against the marble. Her heels clicked in elegant rhythm as they walked past glass offices and shelves lined with law journals and awards. The boys tried not to gape too much.
The elevator whooshed them up to the fifth floor. The moment the doors slid open, the difference was clear, quiet, calm, refined. The air felt heavier with authority.
They entered an expansive office bathed in soft lighting. The walls were lined with law books and abstract paintings. At the far end sat a man behind a sleek mahogany desk, the only sound being the rhythmic tapping of his keyboard.
He looked up as they stepped in. Late 30s, sharp jawline, rich brown hair combed to the side, his tailored navy suit sitting perfectly on his frame. Everything about him oozed class and confidence.
The receptionist gestured for them to take a seat in the visitors' lounge area, which had plush velvet chairs and a small glass table. Moments later, she returned with a tray of refreshments, bottled water, fruit juice, and fancy cookies.
"Thank you ma'am," Berry said, bowing slightly.
"You are welcome," she said with a polite smile before stepping out.
Jasper finally closed his laptop and leaned back in his chair.
"You guys are from Dudley High School?" His deep voice filled the room, calm and commanding.
They straightened in their seats, suddenly nervous.
"Yes sir!" they chorused.
"Nice to have you here."
"It's good to meet you too, sir."
"Frances told me about your case."
"She told you already?" Berry's eyes widened.
"Yes, she texted me this afternoon. She was so sure that you would come but not this soon. I must say, you're eager."
"Yes sir! I need to do something before something do me," Berry replied, scratching the back of his head and laughing awkwardly.
Jasper chuckled, a deep, rich laugh that softened the tension in the room. "You're funny, boy. Don't worry, I'll take on your case. Inheritance case is nothing serious. It can't be crazier than murder."
He stood and walked to a cabinet, pulling out a file. "You're lucky Frances sent you. I stayed behind just for this, I won't be available tomorrow."
"Thank you so much, sir!" Berry exclaimed as Jasper passed him a document.
"Answer all the questions in there. A letter will be sent out to your uncle. We will file a case of inheritance fraud, your parents' will was hidden, and you were thrown out of your family house. We have a valid case."
"How long does everything take, sir?" Berry asked, gripping the pen tightly.
"The defendant has 14 days to respond. After that, we go to court. Simple uncontested cases usually take 6 months to a year, but I'm a professional. Yours will be sorted within 4 months."
"Four months? That fast?" Berry beamed. "Thank you so much, sir!"
His friend leaned over and nudged him. "Why are you saying thanks? Lawyer Fox charges a lot. Are you not going to ask for the lawyer's fees?"
"Oh true, true!" Berry blinked and turned back. "Sir, you didn't talk about the fees."
"The fees? Can you afford it?"
"I need to know the variations."
"The Hollis group has millions in inheritance. High-profile estate representation like this costs hundreds of thousands."
Their jaws dropped. "Hundreds of thousands?!"
"It's high-stake, so the charges reflect that."
"Can we pay after the case is settled? I don't have that much money right now."
"Don't worry about it. Frances will settle it."
"What? Frances will pay that much money? She doesn't even have money!"
"Who said that?" Jasper's voice was cool, almost amused.
"Isn't she an orphan?"
"Yes, an orphan. An orphan with cash."
"Wow…" they whispered in awe.
"You're not the first person she's sent to me. She'll settle all requirements. Your case will be cleared."
"Is Frances that generous? She doesn't want anything in return?"
"Of course she does."
"I knew it!" Berry said.
Jasper reached into a drawer and tossed an envelope on the table.
"Open it," he said.
Berry's hand trembled as he picked it up. He gasped as he saw the money inside, thick wads of crisp bills.
"What's the money for?"
"For you. She said you were doing menial jobs. That's $50K. It should last a while if you don't lavish it."
"I didn't know Frances is so generous," one of the friends said, grabbing a stack of money to admire. A folded piece of paper slipped out and floated to the floor.
Berry picked it up and unfolded it.
"What is written on the paper is what she wants in return for helping you," Jasper said.
Berry read aloud, "'Be a good person.'" His brow furrowed. "Just that? That's all she wanted?"
"Turn it over."
Berry flipped it, and his heart skipped.
"'This $50K is more than enough to do your funeral if I ever catch you doing drugs. I will send you to hell!!'"
He gasped and dropped the paper like it burned. His friend read it and threw it back in his face.
"Frances is so scary."
Jasper stood and adjusted his cuffs, his tone serious now.
"Since you know what she wants, do not let her down. She can run you down just as quickly as she can help you up. Do you understand?"
"I do. I do!" Berry nodded quickly.
"You can go now, Berry. I'll follow up on the case. Just wait to get your inheritance back in a few months."
"Thank you so much, Mr. Fox!" They stood and shook his hand respectfully, one by one.
Just as they turned to leave, Jasper's voice rang out once more.
"Frances doesn't want to see you in her class or hear you talk about this. She said your scholarship will be revoked if you say what you shouldn't. You can go now."
Berry's friends immediately pushed him out the door like he was a ticking bomb.
"What does he mean by that? Does Frances have the power to revoke the scholarship?" Berry asked, confused.
His friend scoffed. "Are you stupid, Berry? Can't you still understand what's going on? Frances' signature got you that scholarship in a minute, even with your bad result and she's close to Jasper Fox? Of course she's important! If she gave it, she can take it back."
"And also send you to jail if you do drugs again," another added darkly.
A chill crept down Berry's spine. "I'm gonna worship Frances henceforth. She's my idol now, I swear!"
"Me too! I can't believe all this!"
"Let's go back now. It's late."
"Yes, yes."
Their footsteps echoed through the polished hallway, the sound fading into silence as they left the imposing building of Jasper Fox hearts racing, minds reeling, and life problems halfway solved.