Chapter 5: The Powerful and The Great

"I am sorry to have appeared uninvited in your office but I believe you already heard that I have been wanting to talk to you for quite a while now?" Mr. Yang, the man who is seated across Win in her office is one of the most powerful conglomerate figures in Beijing. He owns Yang Industries, the most influential group of companies in the city at present.

Win smiles at Mr. Yang, assuring him that his presence was not bothering her at all, "I have heard about your matter, Mr. Yang. I was actually planning on contacting you today but unfortunately, my secretary is on an emergency leave and I believe she was the one you left your contact details with?"

"Ah, yes. I have been talking with her for some time now, I was waiting news of your arrival. She actually contacted me this morning that you have returned to office so I got here as soon as I can. It's quite urgent, as you see."

What was so urgent that he immediately had to see her today? It must be very important that he personally dropped by their firm to talk to her, she thought. "I have figured out that the matter is indeed crucial. Please, tell me what I can do for you."

"I will go straight to the point, Atty. Chen. I know we are all busy. You must already have heard about the rumors my son is involved in at the moment."

Win felt uneasy, hearing his name. She thought of Asher's case being one of the possible reasons Mr. Yang would look for her but she also wished it would not be the reason he'd come. If anything, she didn't want anymore involvement with Asher Yang or his company at least. But she is a lawyer who have sworn by the law that she'd carry out her duty, no matter what personal circumstances.

"I may have heard something," she replied, "But they're all just rumors, I found nothing confirmed by your side."

"Unfortunately, we cannot confirm anything until legal actions are carried out. I'm afraid it can ruin the company's reputation, especially Asher's. As you know, he is the only possible heir. I have no other children besides him." Mr. Yang sighs heavily, worry written all over his face, "This is why I am asking you to represent my son in court, Atty. Chen. You are a great lawyer. I know you are just the person for this job."

Win's hands slightly tremble from under her desk, this was what she avoiding to hear from this conversation. Representing and defending a person who has ruined her emotionally was the last thing she imagined she'd do in this life.

"Atty. Chen? Is there something wrong?" Mr. Yang asks her, noticing that she has been spacing out for most part of their talk.

Win tries to recover herself, still putting up a grin that appeared to be indifferent, "I don't understand. Being a very large corporation, your company must have excellent legal staffs. You have put up with international matters with the lawyers that you have, why are you looking for a rookie lawyer to handle your son's case?"

"I believe in your greatness as a lawyer, I have seen you make your way through cases against the most powerful people of China. Besides, I remember you from before."

This catches Win's attention; what does he mean he remembers her from before? "I'm sorry, Mr. Yang. That got me confused."

"You are Winona Chen from Tsinghua University, right? Asher introduced you to our family before. We may have seen each other only once but I still remember you."

Right, Asher has introduced her to the Yang family once. How can she forget that? The whole family warmly accepted her and made her feel home. Though it never happened again because their schedules overlapped all the time and eventually, they separated.

"Of course, Mr. Yang, how could I forget you and your family's warm welcome. But your son and I, we-"

"We know. It has been six years since you've cut ties with my son. But, Ms. Chen, you know him more than anyone and right now, no one in our family can convince him to fight in court. He just wants to turn himself in and plead guilty for the assault case. But as you know, that would ruin him and our company. So, we need your help."

Win was left in shock, why would he want to turn himself in? That would practically be like suicide to him and the whole of Yang Industries. Even if he'd get out of prison sooner or later, being charged of assault was not something that people would easily forget of. "Why would he do that? Is he really guilty of what they accuse him of?"

Mr. Yang laments, "He insists that he is. But, Atty. Chen, we do not believe him. And I know you know what I mean. I am begging you to help us, I can pay you a large sum of-"

Win stops him from talking, she was not going to do this just because she will be paid a big amount, "No, please. I don't take extra compensation from anyone. Give me time to think about it and I will definitely get back to you as soon as I can."

She went back home alone immediately after the talk with Mr. Yang. She told Nathan that she had to think about some things. She needed time to allow everything Mr. Yang said to sink in.

She was contemplating about a lot of things. First of all, accepting the case would look like turning back on her principles as a lawyer. She has always stood for the normal people, going against large companies and proving them of their crimes. But now, she's expected to represent the son of a conglomerate against a mere powerless employee.

Second, she would be up in court defending the person whom she vowed she'd never want to be involved with again. So, it wasn't only her principles, her personal promises would also be at stake.

She also knew that Lia or Nathan wouldn't want her to hang around Asher again, even if it was for work. The both of them know how much she suffered because of him. Who in the right mind would get herself involved with a person like that all over again?

So, technically, the most logical answer would be not to do it, right? Simply call up Mr. Yang and tell him that she can't represent his son in court and that he'd have to find some other lawyer to do it.

But why does it feel like accepting the case is the right answer to this question?

Win buried her face in a pillow and shouted in frustration. This was all Asher's fault, she convinced herself, why would he want to turn himself in and plead guilty if he didn't do anything wrong? That's ridiculous.

But deep inside, she knew what Mr. Yang meant when he said that they don't believe Asher would be guilty of such a thing. Win is confident she knew Asher well, and given that he actually did it, he must have had understandable reasons. He may look stiff and heartless but he's not a bad person like how everyone's labelling him now.

Her phone suddenly rang, Nathan trying to reach her with a video call. She decided she'll answer it, she might use some extra opinions right now.

Nathan has a weak smile the moment he's onscreen, suddenly Win feels bad about leaving him earlier without any clue what's going on, "Hey, what's up?" she greets him, pretending to be all bubbly and cheerful.

"Please don't do that." Nathan sighs, "You know I feel sad when you try to hide your feelings from me. I always want to make you feel better but doing that won't allow me to."

And now he's making her all the more guilty, Nathan knows her very well and she still dares hide what she feels from him, "I'm sorry. I just don't want you worried about me. You're already very tired from assisting me today."

"What are you talking about? Worrying about you and assisting you are both my jobs as your boyfriend. So, please allow me to do my job properly." He assures her, "Whatever you have talked about with Uncle Yang a while ago must be the reason you're feeling that way. And I also know that it must be confidential. So just allow me to console you through your phone screen. You don't have to tell me anything."

She smiled, if she was Beijing's Angel, Nathan would definitely be her guardian angel, he knows exactly what to tell her and when to tell her such things. "Can I ask you a question, Nathan?"

"Anything, angel."

"What does it mean when something you're supposed to do is against all your principles, commitments, and beliefs, yet it feels like doing it anyway is the right thing to do?"

Win wasn't sure, but for a moment, she thought she saw Nathan's expression change into a hesitant and frightened look but the moment she watched him again, he was wearing his usual comforting smile on his face, "That only means one thing."

"What?"

"That person or thing, whatever that is you're talking about is engraved somewhere deep within you. Since it's strong enough to outweigh your principles and beliefs."

"And where is that somewhere within me?"

"Your heart, Win."