Lucas Carter smiled knowingly.
Here it comes.
He slowly stood, walked around his desk, and helped Ethan Walker, who was still kneeling on the floor, back to his feet.
Then he gently pushed the bundle of money back into Ethan's hands.
"Take it back."
Both Ethan and Lily Warren froze in shock.
Lucas spoke with an authority that brooked no argument—calm, steady, absolute:
"I'm taking your case."
"As for legal fees—you won't be paying them."
His gaze swept across Ethan, then landed on Lily's stunned expression. A faint, cold smile tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"The plaintiff and her attorney will be the ones shouldering that responsibility."
Lily was completely dazed. Just days ago, Lucas was worrying about overdue office rent, joking with her in self-deprecating despair.
But now—
This confidence wasn't normal.
It radiated from deep in his bones—intimidating, powerful, unshakable.
While the two were still processing, Lucas watched as a translucent interface unfolded before him, visible only to his eyes.
[New Player Gift Pack Opened!][Congratulations, host. You have obtained passive skill:
Absolute Insight (Beginner).
Effect: Detect emotional fluctuations and make preliminary judgments on truthfulness.]
[Congratulations, host. You have obtained active skill:
Eye of Evidence (3 uses per day).
Effect: Scan and reveal all objective evidence related to the target case.]
A final glowing line appeared:
[Key evidence available for extraction in current case: 11 items.]
Lucas looked at Ethan's bloodshot eyes and expressionless face, then slid the client agreement toward him.
"Sign."
Lily hurried to hand Ethan a pen.
"T-thank you… Attorney Carter… Attorney Warren… thank you…" Ethan managed, voice trembling.
He signed with shaking hands, bowed deeply, and left the office—turning back several times as if afraid Lucas might vanish.
The moment the door closed, Lily burst.
"Boss! You seriously accepted this case?! The appeal was denied already—how are we supposed to overturn it? We don't even know who the opposing lawyer is or who the judge was! This is like strapping a bomb to our heads!"
She paced frantically, braid swaying.
Lucas ignored her. He walked to the window, watching Ethan's lone figure disappear into the street.
Quietly, he issued the command in his mind:
"System, activate Eye of Evidence. Scan all objective evidence in the Ethan Walker false assault case."
[Eye of Evidence activated… scanning…][Scan complete. 11 key evidence items found.]A pale-blue display unfolded before him.
Evidence List1~ Chat logs between Veronica Weiss and Ethan Walker confirming their secret relationship.
2~ Messages where Veronica coached Ethan on how to lie to her boyfriend after the incident.
3~ Audio recordings of extortion , plus records of profit sharing.
4~ Bank statement showing
5~ Forensic report showing Veronica's knee bruises were from a prior injury.
6~ Surveillance footage of attorney bribing a forensic examiner.
7~ Screenshots of extreme misogynistic posts by Judge on his alternate online account.
8~ Index of 15 wrongful judgments tied to Judge ' collusion with "a certain Chambers Law Group."
9~ Secret ledger kept by Judge mistress documenting his bribe transactions.
10~ Recordings of Veronica's long-term psychological control over him, pressuring him to take the blame.
11~ Membership list of the Fairy Mutual Aid Alliance and evidence of Veronica Weiss's related crimes.
Lucas exhaled softly.
This wasn't a simple false accusation.
It was an entire criminal chain—accuser, boyfriend, attorney, judge, even the forensic examiner—all linked together.
No wonder the appeal had been dismissed instantly.
The rot was deep.
Lily trembled beside him.
"Boss… maybe we can call Ethan and say we can't do it? I—I'll pay the penalty myself…"
"Extract the first three pieces of evidence," Lucas said calmly.
The command executed instantly.
Encrypted files would appear on his desktop in 10 minutes.
Lucas finally turned and smiled faintly at Lily.
"Lily, go get our nicest tea set and brew a pot of good tea."
"N-nicest? All our cups are the $4.99 ones from Amazon…"
"Then use the $4.99 ones," Lucas said, tapping his desk lightly.
"We're about to have a distinguished visitor."
Almost on cue—
jingle…
The office door opened, wind chimes ringing gently.
A woman stepped inside.
Lily's eyes widened.
She looked about thirty, with wavy hair falling over a fitted Chanel dress that hugged her mature, voluptuous figure. Her presence alone brightened the entire worn-down office.
Lucas's eyes flickered—appreciation, not desire.
"Excuse me," the woman said, her soft voice edged with confidence. "Who is the best attorney here?"
Her gaze drifted between Lucas and Lily, but settled decisively on Lucas.
Lily instinctively straightened her small chest… then immediately surrendered.
Lucas raised his gaze.
"That would be me. Please, sit. How can I help you?"
The woman sat gracefully, reached into her Hermès bag, and placed a document folder on the desk.
"Divorce," she said simply.
"My husband is cheating. I want him to leave with nothing."
Lucas leaned forward.
"How old?"
She paused, lifted her posture to emphasize her already striking curves, and smiled confidently.
"Thirty-six… D."