Jennifer's POV -
Since she was staying at her aunt and uncle's house, she always woke up early every morning, and today was no exception.
These days, after waking up, she would habitually tap a few notes of 'Flight of the Bumblebee' on my cousin's piano, then run to help her aunt prepare breakfast.
Leaving the room, she walked towards the kitchen as usual.
My uncle was sitting in the living room reading the newspaper, and noticing her, he casually greeted, "Morning, Jenny".
"Morning, Uncle," she said, arriving in the kitchen and affectionately kissing her aunt on the cheek. "Good morning, Auntie".
"Morning," my aunt said with a smile. "I've been hearing you play the piano a lot these days. Are you interested in music again?"
Helping her aunt divide the salad, she shook my head and said, "No, not really. Was I too loud?"
"Of course not. Lisa and Clark have moved out. I really wish there was more noise in the house".
"Haha, isn't there still Carl?"
"Carl is just too shy and doesn't like dealing with people. By the way, is he awake yet?"
"I haven't seen him".
So, her aunt instructed my uncle in the living room to wake up her younger cousin, Carl.
After a busy period, the family of four gathered around the dining table and began to eat breakfast.
Her aunt poured me a glass of milk and handed it to her, then asked her uncle across the table, "Who called so early this morning?"
My uncle said, "Janette Johnston, a very important client, asked me to handle a case for her".
"I remember that woman," my aunt thought for a moment and said, "I always feel like she's a bit off in the head".
"Is that just women's prejudice? Why don't I feel that way?"
Her younger cousin Carl, who had been eating with his head down, suddenly interjected, "Dad, that means you're a bit off too".
She immediately burst out laughing.
Her aunt playfully tapped Carl on the head, feigning anger. "How can you talk about your dad like that?"
Her uncle just smiled, then turned to her, "Jenny, this is a very interesting case. Come with me to take a look later".
She was studying at Yale Law School and would receive her Juris Doctor degree next year, having already confirmed an internship at her uncle's firm. Hearing her uncle say this, she immediately nodded, "Okay".
After breakfast, she changed into a light grey checkered women's professional suit, tied her hair into a simple ponytail, said goodbye to her aunt and cousin, and left the Bel Air community with her uncle in the car.
On the way, her uncle told her the general situation of the case: "This happened last night in Santa Monica. Five young men ganged up on a boy coming home from a convenience store. Jenny, guess what the outcome was?"
She thought to herself, five against one, what else could happen? But then worried that they would be representing those five hooligans today.
Her uncle noticed the change in her expression, clearly understanding her thoughts, and said, "Jenny, if you think like that, it will be very difficult for you to become a qualified lawyer. However, today we are representing the boy who was beaten".
Relieved, she asked, "Uncle, what was the outcome?"
"The outcome?" her uncle said with a teasing smile, then continued, "All five of those young men had a leg broken, severe commuted fractures, and one of them even lost seven teeth. The boy who was attacked only suffered some minor injuries".
She had been worried about the boy who was beaten, but hearing her uncle's words, she immediately opened her mouth, looking incredulous, and said, "What the hell, was he Bruce Lee?"
"Heh, we'll know when we go and see".
Then, at the UCLA Medical Center in Santa Monica, she once again saw him, the focused figure with a guitar from Venice Beach that day.
"Simon, this is Attorney George Norman. He's very capable and will surely help us deal with those good for nothings. Oh, George, this is Simon, Simon Westeros".
Simon Westeros.
She immediately committed the name to memory.
Her uncle shook hands with the boy, then turned to her.
Without waiting for her uncle's introduction, she walked forward gracefully, extended her hand to him, and said, "Hello, I'm Jennifer Raybould."
Simon smiled and shook hands with the capable girl with a ponytail in front of him, saying, "Raybould, I know, it means rainbow, right?"
Jennifer Raybould nodded, a little surprised, and said, "Yes it does".
Raybould is a variant of Rainbow.
She hadn't expected him to know such obscure trivia, but she didn't know the origin of 'Westeros' herself. It seemed she would have to look it up when she got back.
However, he clearly didn't remember her at all, and she couldn't help but feel a little disappointed.
Thinking this, she continued to shake hands with Janette Johnston next to her, greeting her. Then she suddenly remembered that this should be the woman who tried to steal money from his guitar case that day. It turned out they not only knew each other but were also so close. Ordinary friends would clearly not be so dedicated to staying by someone's bedside when they were hospitalized.
After the pleasantries, George Norman sat by Simon's bed, took out a notebook, and began to inquire about more specific details of last night's incident. Jennifer Raybould also held a notebook, sitting next to her uncle with a serious expression.
Simon also cooperated as much as possible.
After chatting for more than half an hour,
George Norman temporarily excused himself, intending to communicate with the police officer in charge of the case.
Only she and Janette were left in Simon's ward for the time being.
However, it wasn't quiet for long before a knock sounded. After receiving a response, a tall middle-aged man wearing rimless glasses walked in.
"Mr. Westeros?" The middle-aged man confirmed, then proactively handed over a business card and said, "I am Derek Wheeler, the attorney for Mark Stein and others".
Janette, who had been smiling, immediately lost her pleasant expression upon hearing the introduction.
Simon, however, remained calm and said, "Hello, Mr. Wheeler".
Derek Wheeler didn't mind Janette's coldness, but he didn't sit down. He remained standing by Simon's bed, with a somewhat condescending air, and said, "Mr. Westeros, after communicating with my clients, I found that you continued to inflict violent harm on them even after they had lost the ability to resist. This is a very serious crime of intentional injury. If this matter goes to court, you will also face imprisonment. Furthermore, I also know that you are a very promising film screenwriter and have just signed a contract with Fox Pictures. If this matter escalates, it could even ruin your career".
As soon as Derek Wheeler finished speaking, Janette immediately said with displeasure, "Sir, you've finished your intimidation, now you can leave. We will present your threats in court".
Derek Wheeler was a bit stunned, not expecting to be driven out just as he was starting his prelude. He could only turn to Simon on the bed, hoping the boy would have some initiative.
Simon pondered for a moment, and just as he was about to speak, a knock sounded on the door again. Attorney George Norman returned with Jennifer Raybould.
Derek Wheeler's face clearly showed surprise when he saw George Norman. Simon even detected a hint of obvious guilt on the other's face.
George Norman was also a little surprised, but then his tone carried a hint of teasing: "Derek, are we going to be opponents again this time?"
Derek Wheeler's expression stiffened for a moment, then he said, "George, this is truly unexpected. However, I am only representing my clients and wish to resolve this matter peacefully. Although your client was beaten first, he also engaged in very serious excessive self-defence. Therefore, my clients hope to settle this matter".
Janette immediately said, "Settle? Ha, that woman didn't say that last night. Weren't they going to pursue it to the end? I was looking forward to seeing it through!"
After Derek Wheeler finished explaining, he no longer paid attention to the others and looked at Simon again.
Ultimately, this matter still rested with the boy in front of him.
Simon lowered his gaze and remained silent for a moment, then said to Derek Wheeler, "500,000 dollars. I want to see the check before noon, and then this matter is over. Otherwise, I will sue them for attempted murder".
When Simon spoke, everyone in the ward was stunned.
Janette was the first to react, pouncing over and pinching Simon's face hard, very displeased, "You little brat, are you obsessed with money? We don't want money, we want to send those good-for-nothings to prison!"
George Norman's expression was also very surprised, but he didn't speak.
Jennifer Raybould looked at the boy on the bed, her expression showing a hint of disappointment.
Simon, however, ignored everyone's changing expressions. After speaking, he turned to George Norman and said, "Attorney Norman, can I sue them for attempted murder?"
George Norman paused, then nodded, "Of course."
Derek Wheeler's expression changed when he heard Simon's request.
He had originally hoped to secure a settlement for his clients where neither side owed the other, but he hadn't expected this boy to demand $500,000. That was no small sum. However, this was precisely within the means of his other client.
That client now hoped to resolve this matter quickly.
Moreover, if this boy started suing Mark Stein and others for attempted murder, those five youths would clearly not be willing to bear such a serious charge, and it was very likely that client would also be implicated.
Things would become even more complicated then.
After a moment of hesitation, Derek Wheeler smiled and nodded, "Alright, Mr. Westeros, I will convey your request to my clients".
Having said that, Derek Wheeler excused himself and left Simon's ward.
Then, the atmosphere in the room became tense.
George Norman hadn't expected things to turn so quickly. Looking at Janette, who was sitting with her back to Simon like a sulking little girl on the other side of the bed, he had no choice but to say, "Miss Johnston, in that case, we will take our leave for now. If needed, we will come back at noon".
Janette said nothing.
Simon could only say, "Thank you for coming, Mr. Norman".
"It's my job," George Norman nodded, tugged his niece's arm, and the two left Simon's ward together.
The room became completely quiet. Simon waited patiently for a while, and seeing that Janette still hadn't said a word, he took the initiative and said, "Jenny, do you want to hear a joke?"
"..."
"Or, I could sing you a song?"
"..."
"I'm planning to produce a movie recently, would you like to make a cameo?"
"..."
After coaxing her for a while with no results, Simon could only give up.
Approaching noon, Kathryn, who had rested for a few hours, arrived at the hospital again. Janette, who hadn't spoken a word to Simon for over an hour, immediately began to complain, accusing Simon of being a wretch who valued money over integrity.
Before Kathryn could ask more, Derek Wheeler returned, indeed bringing a check for $500,000 and a settlement agreement.
Although very displeased with Simon's actions, Janette still called Attorney George Norman back. However, this time only George Norman came.
Attorney George Norman carefully confirmed the settlement agreement brought by Derek Wheeler, stated that there were no problems, and only then did Simon sign his name.
After Derek Wheeler left, Janette casually tossed the check he left to Simon, not forgetting to mock, "Alright, you're a rich man now, are you satisfied?"
Simon didn't respond. He picked up the check from the bedsheet, silently examined it for a moment, then handed it to the woman sitting next to him, saying, "Kathryn, find a charity and donate this money".
Kathryn dazedly took the check: "Huh?"
As Simon spoke, Janette, who had been leaning against the headboard with her back to him, turned around again.
George Norman, who had been about to leave, temporarily swallowed his farewell words.
Simon looked at Janette across the hospital bed and said with a smile, "I can't take this money, otherwise Jenny won't talk to me anymore".
Janette pouted unhappily, "Then why did you go through all that trouble?"
Simon lowered his gaze again, his thoughts seemingly a little slow, and whispered, "I just wanted to confirm something."
Janette felt Simon's voice was low and leaned forward, "Did you confirm it?"
"Confirmed."
"Confirmed what?"
Simon looked up again, still with that harmless smile, but his tone carried a strange indifference as he said faintly, "One leg is still missing from the set".