Legitime

04 - Get Even

“I hate you so much!” Tears cascaded down Beatrice’s cheeks. Angrily, she wiped them away. After this, she stormed out of the conference room, where her whole family was left stunned.

Beatrice didn’t have the energy to argue with her evil dad and useless mother. She hated her family so much that she wished she had another one.

But she did not. Her only family was the Deveraux clan. She hadn’t met anyone from her mother’s side. Miranda also never mentioned anything about her family. It was like they didn’t exist at all. Beatrice tried to ask her mother about their whereabouts or anything about them. Sadly, her mother simply brushed her off. Beatrice saw how her mother’s smile turned into a scowl whenever things about her family were mentioned.

This annoyed Beatrice. She wanted to meet her mother’s siblings--if she had any. Beatrice did not want to be stuck with the siblings of her father. They were the worst!

The aunties never treated her well. The three of them were very insecure because Beatrice was going to be the only heir of the Deveraux Law Firm.

As one could see, Deveraux Law Firm was a partnership owned by Anton and Miranda Deveraux, but their capital came from Luciena Deveraux. The latter was the mother of Anton.

Beatrice’s aunties were lawyers at the Deveraux firm too, but they were not partners, so their share in the company was only salaries. If Beatrice’s parents died, their estate would go to Beatrice alone.

The aunties thought that it was unfair, mainly because they were the ones working hard for the betterment of the law firm. Why would Beatrice solely benefit from something she didn’t work hard for?

The aunties also hated the fact that Luciena, their mother, chose to state in her will that she would be dividing her assets equitably and not equally, meaning that the Deveraux siblings would not receive the same amount of inheritance.

Beatrice’s father was the firstborn of Luciena, and he was the only boy. Luciena decided to give a much larger share to Anton, which Anton would soon pass to Beatrice, his sole heir.

This was questionable now, though. Anton just threatened to disinherit his daughter. Beatrice knew that her father wasn’t bluffing. He might give his sisters the share instead.

Beatrice didn’t want this to happen, but how? She did not have a plan. As of this moment, she was broke too. Her father already froze her accounts, so there was no use fighting him to get her physical cards.

All of them were useless now.

“Damn it!” Beatrice cried, kicking the conference door once before running away.

She saw some of the employees of the law firm staring at her like she was demented.

“What are you looking at?” She snarled at her; however, she realized her mistake.

She shouldn’t have directed her anger toward them. Most of them were lawyers. She could have asked them to help clean her name, but how could she do it now? They probably thought she was crazy.

She was close to some lawyers in this firm, though. Some of them have worked here ever since she was younger. Many of them adored Beatrice even though she was a classic spoiled brat, but then things probably changed now that she was older.

She couldn’t ask for their help, no matter how cute she was during her childhood days. This was because she was sure that her father most likely threatened these workers not to help Beatrice. The latter suddenly wondered if Anton had talked to Jade too.

Did Jade get coerced as well?

Maybe. Anton was very powerful. There was a big chance that he talked to Jade’s parents, asking them to tell Jade not to help Beatrice, and since Jade needed to kiss her parents’ ass, she would probably turn against Beatrice.

“Ugh!” Beatrice whimpered again upon realizing that she had lost. If she did not listen to her father, her future wouldn’t be gold anymore. She would probably live in the streets or die.

She was so used to a comfortable life. She was sure she would not last long on the street. She had not even tried to ride the public transportation. She hadn’t tried food from convenience stores. Everything she ate was cooked by either their family’s chefs or cooks from fine-dining restaurants.

Beatrice walked towards the elevator; her mind was flying as she thought about the possibility of her getting sick or not being able to survive without her parents’ money. She was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t even realize that the elevator door was already closing.

“Ouch!” She yelped when she was sandwiched by the door.

“You okay?” The only person in the lift asked her. “I’m sorry I wasn’t fast enough to stop it from closing...”

The stranger sounded so apologetic that Beatrice couldn’t help but look at him.

Beatrice abruptly coughed, eyes turning wide upon seeing the face of the stranger.

Oh my God.

He was...ethereal.

Beatrice had traveled the whole world before. She had seen almost all types of faces, but this was the first time she had seen someone this handsome.

She wasn’t exaggerating.

The guy was wearing a suit, but Beatrice could already tell that he had a healthy, toned body. His skin was smooth and tan, complementing his emerald eyes. His hair was slicked back, exposing his forehead.

Beatrice could not help but continue to check him out, momentarily forgetting her problems.

God. Why were his lips red, and why did they seem soft? This goes the same with his eyes. It was wide and doe, making him look a little innocent--like he wasn’t capable of hurting anyone, not even a fly.

“A-Are you an employee in this company?” She couldn’t help but ask.

The pretty guy smiled sadly.

“Unfortunately, I’m not. I tried applying as a full-time lawyer, but I wasn’t accepted.”

“Really,” Beatrice smirked. A lawyer! This guy was a lawyer!

An idea popped in Beatrice’s head as she pressed the last button of the elevator. She did not have an intention to let go of this guy yet.

“What if I tell you I can help you get hired.”

“I’m—”

Beatrice didn’t let the guy speak.

“Just hear me out, okay? I’m willing to help you in ways you can’t even imagine. But of course, it comes with a price.”

The guy furrowed his brow like he was accepting the offer.

“What do I need to do for you?”

Beatrice smirked.

“It’s simple. You just need to help me get even with my family...”