Billionaire Lawyer's Secretary - Chapter 153: Chapter 153

Elara felt as if her heart had been stabbed. She thought, 'He's now a vegetable. How badly must he have been hurt to end up like that?'
She felt a sudden discomfort in her heart and quickly put down her fork and picked up the glass of water beside her, trying to steady the pain in her chest. She asked, "Is this the Heaton family's doing?"
"Stephen got someone to do it," Adrian replied.
Matthew had two sons and a daughter. His daughter, also his second child, Cindy Heaton, married Nathan Kalmien, the wealthiest man in Marisiton, and Yann was their son.
Matthew and Jackson Kalmien, namely Nathan's father, had served together in the military in Veritasiton and become sworn friends for life or death. After retirement, they were assigned to high-ranking positions.
Jackson had been Matthew's superior back then. Because of their strong friendship, the Kalmien family and the Heaton family became related by marriage.
Matthew's eldest son, Nelson, inherited his legacy and became a high-ranking government official, seen as an upstanding official by everyone in Veritasiton.
However, Stephen, Nelson's younger brother, had a whole different story. Stephen was arrogant, reckless, always up to no good, and never did an honest day's work in his life.
In a family known for its scholarly reputation, such a black sheep left Matthew at his wits' end. Since Stephen was his youngest child, Matthew doted on him endlessly. Whenever Stephen got himself into trouble since childhood, Matthew would pull strings to bail him out.
It only made Stephen even more out of control, like there were no rules that could hold him back.
Nelson had two children, Josie and Neil, while Stephen had a son who messed up when he was young and got sent abroad.
The stuff Dylan had in his hands was proof of the huge mistake Stephen's son had made back then. Since Stephen's son was the youngest child in the Heaton family, Matthew spoiled him rotten. Thus, Matthew let Stephen go after Dylan however he wanted.
Just like that, Dylan, who was innocent, was turned into a vegetable.
Elara knew this was out of her hands, so she just nodded quietly.
"If you and your friends want to visit him, just let me know. I can arrange it for you," Adrian said.
Elara was surprised that he was okay with her going to visit Alex's father. She asked, "Don't you mind?"
Adrian wasn't an ingrate man. He was well aware that Dylan had helped Elara a lot during her teenage years. Adrian said, "You can visit Dylan, but not Alex."
Elara nodded. "Okay. I'll check with Ruby and Julian. If we decide to go, I'll let you know."
"Okay," Adrian replied.
"Adrian, did you take on Dylan's case because of me?" Elara asked.
Adrian looked at Elara and replied, "Not exactly. I have my own reasons."
"Okay," Elara replied. She wasn't sure if Adrian was saying that to ease her mind or if he really had his own plans.
She didn't ask more. After all, knowing too much wouldn't change anything, so there was no point in overthinking it.
After dinner, Elara didn't let Adrian stay over, but she tried a lot to drive him out. She promised Adrian she would move in for sure tomorrow night. Only then did he finally leave.
After finally sending Adrian off, Elara washed dishes and sent messages in the group chat with Ruby and Julian.
Elara: [Adrian said Dylan has become a vegetable.]
Elara: [Adrian took on Dylan's case. Do you guys want to visit Dylan?]
Ruby: [Oh my God! How could this happen? Alex must be very heartbroken.]
Elara knew Alex must have been very sad, but there was nothing she could do about it.
Julian: [I heard about it, too. I was actually thinking of not telling you both.]
Ruby: [Julian, are we strangers? Why do you keep everything from us?]
Elara: [Did Alex tell you?]
Julian didn't reply right away. It was a few minutes before he sent: [Yeah. He reached out to me for help.]
Elara: [You're still in touch with Alex?]
Ruby: [They're good friends. Of course, they keep in touch. He just keeps us in the dark about everything.]
Julian: [Alex just didn't want you to worry.]
Elara didn't persist in this. She sent: [Let's pick a time to visit Dylan. When are you free? I'll have Adrian arrange for it.]
Ruby: [Anytime works for me. Just depends on Julian's schedule.]
Julian: [How about the night after tomorrow?]
Elara: [Okay.]
After that, Elara lay in bed, having trouble falling asleep, probably because of the shocking news that Dylan had become a vegetable. The last time Elara saw Dylan, he still smiled at her and thanked her. However, he ended up like a vegetable now.
Elara thought back to her high school days when Dylan was always warm and kind, like the gentle sun in spring, and his voice was cheerful and melodious every day.
He always said back then, "Elara, I made your favorite pretzels, just like your dad used to make them. Do you want to try some?"
"Elara, how about I attend your parent-teacher conference tomorrow? Your parents are too busy, but it doesn't mean they don't love you."
"Elara, no matter how much you might resent them, you still need to focus on your studies. This is your only way out."
Honestly, Dylan had taught Elara more than her parents ever did.
Elara wondered why something so terrible had to happen to someone as good as Dylan. She felt her eyes sting with tears, but she lacked the standing and power to help him. That was what made her feel so helpless.
Restless after tossing and turning, she finally grabbed her phone and started scrolling through videos.
Suddenly, Adrian sent her a message: [Are you asleep?]
Elara replied: [Not yet.]
Then her phone started ringing. Elara answered the call. "What's up?"
Adrian said, "I figured you might have trouble sleeping, so I'd keep you company for a while."
The next morning, Elara arrived at the office at 8:30. When she walked into Adrian's office, she saw Justin inside.
Elara ignored Justin. Anyway, he always ignored her. Elara didn't want to be the one who had to say hi first.
Right now, Justin was rifling through Adrian's desk for a file, but after a long time, he still couldn't find it.
The file was pretty urgently needed when Adrian's client, Chandler Thorne, arrived at 9:30.
Elara calmly loaded coffee beans into the coffee machine and quietly watched as the beans were slowly ground into powder.
Elara knew Justin was searching for the file Adrian had taken home the day before. She remembered Adrian had been on the phone while dealing with it yesterday. She guessed it was a tricky matter to handle.
Justin felt a bit overwhelmed by the search. He glanced at Elara, who was standing by the coffee machine, and couldn't help but call out to her. "Come help me find a file."
Elara didn't move. She calmly made herself a cup of coffee, lifted the white cup, and leaned against the counter to sip it at her own pace.
Justin met her gaze, but she didn't say a word, as if she didn't even see him.
"Elara?" Justin called out.
Elara remained silent.
This time, Justin was left dumbfounded. He wondered, 'What the hell? Why is she ignoring me?'
He walked to Elara and waved his hand in front of her face. He asked, "Did you go blind or something after eating those wild mushrooms?"
Elara shot back coldly, "Are you sure I'm the blind one, not you?"
Justin frowned. "You're getting petty, huh?"
"You're the petty one. Who was it that acted like I didn't even exist yesterday? Now you want to talk to me? If you're so tough, why don't you break with me?" Elara retorted.
Justin got flustered. "No, I won't break with you. Elara, help me find that file, okay?"
Elara laughed out of anger. "Is this your way of asking for help?"
"My dear Elara, come on. Please help me find that file," Justin pleaded.
Elara just kept sipping her coffee with an air of cool indifference.
Justin immediately switched to full-on cutesy mode, acting all dramatic and clingy. "My dearest Elara, you're the best in the world. Could you help me find that file? Please."
Elara nearly burst out laughing.
Justin wasn't done. He took her by the wrist with both hands and gave it a playful shake. "My dearest Elara, I was wrong yesterday. I'm really sorry. Could you please—"
Suddenly, with a loud bang, the office door was kicked open. Adrian stormed in, radiating fury.
He asked, "Justin, what did you call Elara?"
Justin instantly knew he was done.