âIf you donât mind, Mr.
Bates, Iâd appreciate your assistance,â Nicole said.
âMiss Lawrence, Iâm just relieved youâre not displeased with me for not winning the previous case,â Rhett responded courteously.
âHow could I be? It wasnât your fault, Mr.
Bates.
The opposition was too meticulous,â Nicole hastily said.
Previously, Jarrod had laid a trap for her.
Regardless of the lawyerâs expertise, failure was inevitable.
âIâm glad you understand, Miss Lawrence.
Letâs schedule a meeting.
When would suit you?â
âAnytime that suits you.
â Nicole was delighted.
After ending the call, Nicole gazed at the medication in her hand, deliberating for a few moments before tucking it into her bag.
Concerned about potential side effects from immediate consumption, she fretted over potential future complications.
It was wise to digest the medication sometime later.
Nicole and Rhett made arrangements to convene at a quaint café.
Demonstrating thoughtfulness, Rhett opted for jasmine tea sans caffeine for Nicole.
âConsidering the hour, coffee might hinder your sleep tonight.
â
âThank you, Mr.
Bates.
â Nicole harbored a favorable impression of Rhett.
He exuded scholarly airs, often sporting glasses and attire in somber tones of black or gray.
His demeanor conveyed gentility and refinement, yet within the courtroom, he advocated with fervor and efficacy.
Rhettâs methodology diverged from that of his peers in the Legal field.
His arguments were grounded in sound reasoning and logic, rather than mere aggression.
With his serene demeanor, he disarmed people before confronting them with incisive inquiries to extract the necessary answers.
This reputation earned him the nickname âThe Smiling Devilâ within legal circles.
Delving into various facets of the case, Rhett reassured her, âMiss Lawrence, I swear on my career that I will secure visitation rights for you this time.
â
âMr.
Bates, such a solemn pledge isnât necessary.
Together, weâll strive for the best outcome.
I have faith in your capabilities.
â
Nicole felt a tinge of embarrassment at the gravity of Rhettâs expression.
It was unconventional for any attorney to make such a daring declaration against Jarrod, let alone stake their career on it.
âMiss Lawrence, you neednât be so formal.
Simply address me as Rhett.
â
Rhett grinned.
âIn that case, you donât need to be so formal either.
Mr.
Bates, letâs dispense with the formalities,â Nicole responded.
Observing Nicoleâs struggle to address him by first name, Rhett opted not to push the issue further and simply smiled.
âVery well.
â
Rhett photographed the drafted agreement before sending it to his assistant.
Just then, Nicoleâs phone rang.
As she reached for it, she inadvertently dislodged medication from her bag.
The pillbox tumbled to the ground.
Nicole hastened to retrieve it, but Rhett beat her to it, swiftly returning it to her.
Out of courtesy, Rhett refrained from examining the pillbox, leaving Nicole uncertain if he had glimpsed the medicationâs label.
She preferred keeping her pregnancy discreet, ideally undisclosed to anyone, to avoid unnecessary complications.
Ultimately, she hadnât intended to retain the baby.
As Nicole stowed the medication back in her bag, she prepared to explain, âThis isâ¦â
âIs it for your stomach issues? Are you still managing them?â Rhett inquired before she could finish.
He appeared unaware of the medicationâs name.
Nicole exhaled a sigh of relief.
In that case, no extensive explanation was necessary.
She nodded.
âIndeed.
â