Chapter 1562: So, cheer up

"Hugo, what is it that you want to talk about?" Grace asked, following him out of the establishment.

Hugo cocked his head back, a playful smile tugging at his lips. "Grace, didn’t you say you owed me?"

"...," she arched a brow, eyeing him suspiciously. "For some reason, I don’t feel like I owe you anything, considering all the dinners you’ve eaten at my parties."

"Come on, Grace." Hugo stopped and faced her. "I just want you to listen. That’s all. It’s up to you whether you take the case or not."

Grace crossed her arms, studying his face. "You only want me to listen?"

"Yes."

"And you won’t bother me if I reject it?"

"Yep!"

"You better make sure, Hugo Bennet," she warned. "I’ll listen, but I won’t take it just because you asked me to."

Hugo nodded, raising a hand. "I promise."

"Fine."

"Nice!" Grinning, he resumed walking and led her to where his motorbike was parked—and where Kiara was pacing back and forth.

As they approached, Grace’s eyes narrowed.

"It’s a woman," she whispered, glancing at Hugo, curiosity flickering in her eyes.

Was it strange for Hugo to be with a woman?

It depended. Hugo, after all, treated everyone like gender didn’t exist in his world.

Kiara, meanwhile, was pacing nervously until she noticed two figures approaching. She straightened up quickly, clutching the helmet tightly as her eyes briefly flicked to Hugo, then shifted to the elegant woman beside him.

As they reached her, Grace squinted slightly.

Why does she look familiar? she wondered, giving Kiara a thorough once-over.

Kiara had a short wavy bob, a slightly oversized black hoodie that engulfed her petite frame, and worn sneakers with scratches on the sides.

Grace tilted her head, narrowing her eyes at Kiara’s face.

"Ah..." she nodded before anyone could speak.

I did see her not long ago.

Grace remembered the courtroom—the courtroom, where Cassandra’s arraignment had taken place. Grace was good with faces, especially on significant days like that.

He’s not going to ask me to take that case, is he?

Grace glanced at Hugo, who seemed oblivious to the fact that she’d already figured out the case he was getting her into. Still, she said nothing.

"Kiara, this is Grace—the best corporate lawyer in all of Anteca!" Hugo introduced cheerfully. "Grace, this is Kiara. I don’t know much about her, but she doesn’t mind getting her food stolen."

Grace gave him a flat look. Kiara, unfazed, extended her hand with a polite smile. Even if Grace specialized in corporate law, it didn’t mean she couldn’t take on other cases.

"Hello, nice to meet you. I’m Kia—"

"Just one question," Grace interrupted, cutting her off mid-sentence. "Why would I take the case?"

Kiara froze, hand still halfway out. Hugo frowned.

"Grace, you said you’d listen," he reminded her. "You don’t even know what case she wants to talk about."

"Cassandra Smith’s case," Grace replied evenly, silencing both Kiara and Hugo. Her eyes locked onto Kiara’s, sharp and unyielding. "Isn’t that what you want me to take?"

Kiara pursed her lips and nodded. "Yes."

"Then tell me," Grace said, her tone edged with challenge. "Why would I take a case as big as this?"

Kiara didn’t answer right away. She studied Grace’s imposing presence and knew instantly—this woman didn’t play nice.

But she had already talked to so many people. Her parents gave her indifference. Others, sympathy. A few were willing, but the legal fees were too high. So Grace’s bluntness didn’t surprise her.

If anything, it just showed how real she was.

"She’s innocent," Kiara said, steadying her voice and meeting Grace’s gaze.

"Do you think that’s enough?"

"Isn’t it enough for someone innocent to fight for justice on that basis alone?"

A tense silence fell over them. Hugo darted his eyes between the two women.

"If guilty people find ways to walk free despite the damage they’ve done," Kiara continued, balling her hands into fists, "why can’t the innocent have the same courage to fight? Cassandra is innocent. The world might say otherwise, but I know she is. She’s flawed, sure. But child trafficking? That’s not something she could ever do."

Grace stared at her, noting the fire in Kiara’s voice—so intense it made her eyes shine with unshed tears.

"The Smiths are powerful," Grace said, her tone softening. "They can afford top lawyers who specialize in these cases. You shouldn’t have to ask around."

"They don’t care." Kiara’s voice wavered. "I do. I believe her, not just because she’s my friend, or like a sister, but because I know she’s innocent."

Another silence followed.

Kiara gulped, still locking eyes with Grace. She wanted to say more, plead her case. But something told her that would be overkill.

Grace sighed quietly, turned on her heel, and walked away.

Hugo perked up. "Grace, are you going to take the case or not?"

She paused and glanced over her shoulder. "I’ll think about it." Then she walked away without another word.

Kiara’s heart sank. She hung her head, biting her lower lip.

"Well, I guess..." Hugo trailed off, noticing the weight on her shoulders. "Huh? What’s wrong with you?"

Kiara let out a bitter laugh and met his gaze. "Thank you for trying."

"You’re welcome," Hugo said with a shrug. "But why do you look like the world just ended? Shouldn’t you be glad?"

At this point, she didn’t know if he was just clueless or intentionally dense.

"Doesn’t matter," she whispered, sighing as she leaned against the motorbike. "I did my best... I can just keep trying. Tomorrow. I’m just really tired today."

Hugo blinked. Then blinked again. "I still don’t get it."

"Goodness." She rolled her eyes, casting him a bitter look. "Isn’t it obvious? She’s not taking the case."

"Who said that?"

"She didn’t need to. Just saying she’ll ’think about it’ says enough."

"Ahh..." Hugo laughed and leaned back against his motorbike too, eyes twinkling with amusement. "She meant she needs to inform Penny first."

"Huh?"

"She’s Penny’s go-to legal person. And this case is big enough to pull her focus. She’ll have to talk to Penny first."

Kiara furrowed her brows. "How do you know that?"

"She recognized you," Hugo said, wiggling his brows. "Which means you were at Cassandra’s hearing. And if you were there, so was Grace. That’s how she knows you. And the fact that she attended at all? It means the case intrigued her. Enough for her to sit in."

He patted her back. "So, cheer up."