That day, Zheng Wanning was organizing the files for Shen Panru and Wang Keming at the law firm, preparing for the second trial, which was only a few days away.
Chen Haifeng came over to her desk, his expression grave.
He was one of the people in charge of Huasheng Law Firm—though in truth, he was the younger brother of Wang Sheng’s wife, and Wang Sheng was the firm’s real boss.
He was Zheng Wanning’s direct superior.
“Attorney Zheng, are you currently handling Wang Keming’s wife’s divorce case?”
“Yes.” Zheng Wanning stopped what she was doing.
“Our firm isn’t taking this case anymore.”
Zheng Wanning looked at him in confusion.
“Why? The second trial is only a few days away, and I’m confident I can win.”
“Why?” Chen Haifeng gave a scornful snort. “The divorce case involving Electronic Technology Group has caused a huge stir in North City. You haven’t heard?”
He went on, “If you win, the entire circle of publicly listed companies and investors will blacklist our firm. If you lose, we might as well close up shop. Do you really think I’d let you keep helping Wang Keming’s wife?”
“So you want me to withdraw right now?”
Chen Haifeng gave her a look that said, “At least you’re not completely stupid.”
“Not only are you withdrawing—we’re joining Wang Keming’s team instead.”
Zheng Wanning’s brow furrowed. She refused outright.
“No. I’ve already agreed to help Shen Panru, and if I withdraw midway, I’ll have to pay a penalty.”
Chen Haifeng was losing patience.
“What’s a little penalty fee? In any case, stop what you’re doing. I’ve already promised President Wang that we’d help him!”
Zheng Wanning was deeply dissatisfied with this sudden decision.
If she withdrew from the divorce case now, no one else in the entire industry would be willing to step in and help Shen Panru.
It wasn’t that she wanted to prove herself.
The husband was clearly in the wrong. He was abusing his wealth to do as he pleased, hiding assets and fabricating a record that his wife had contributed nothing over the past few years.
After a moment of silence, she said calmly, “That’s not a lawyer’s principle.”
Hearing her continue to argue, Chen Haifeng flew into a rage and started shouting obscenities right there in the office.
“What principle? It’s bullshit! If your career as a lawyer is over, what good are your principles then? I’m telling you: go apologize to President Wang today, or get the hell out!”
With that, Chen Haifeng strode away without another word.
The coworkers in the office exchanged glances.
They looked at her in all sorts of ways—with contempt, mockery, and the smug satisfaction of people kicking someone when she was down.
Zhang Yang, who usually got along well with Zheng Wanning, slipped over to her desk and said quietly,
“Sister Wanning, I heard Electronic Technology Group gave our firm fifty million in sponsorship. That’s why Chen Haifeng is being so shameless today.”
“He’s scrambling to curry favor with Wang Keming. That’s why he’s stopped your case and specifically demanded that you apologize.”
Only then did Zheng Wanning understand why Chen Haifeng had switched sides so quickly.
At the first trial, they’d had a strong advantage. Unless something unexpected happened, the result of the second trial would soon be in.
Wang Keming couldn’t sit still, so he’d used Chen Haifeng’s connections to put pressure on her.
Zheng Wanning nodded. “I understand. Thanks for telling me.”
Zhang Yang looked worried. “Sister Wanning, why not apologize to Wang Keming? I’m afraid Chen Haifeng really will fire you.”
At the desk beside them, Lin Xiaomei saw her chance.
She’d disliked Zheng Wanning for a long time. She thought Wanning was a fake snob, unbearably arrogant.
When taking cases, she decided based on her own preference, whether the pay was high or low.
It made people like Lin Xiaomei, who took clients for the money, seem low-class.
Every day, Wanning came to work in a different designer skirt. She never wore the same one twice!
If she had that much money, she’d have become a rich man’s wife already. Why would she still be working like the rest of them?
Lin Xiaomei wasn’t fooled. They had to be counterfeits!
She hated hypocritical women like that most of all.
“People need to know their place. She thinks she’s so impressive, like she’s not afraid of anything. Why can’t she just keep her head down and do her job? She has to make such a spectacle of herself.”
Zheng Wanning was focused on figuring out how to get out of this mess. When she heard Lin Xiaomei’s sneering remarks, she had no interest in responding.
Zhang Yang couldn’t stand it and snapped back at Lin Xiaomei. “Sister Wanning isn’t like that.”
“Oh, really? Zhang Yang, I’d think twice before picking the wrong side. You don’t want to be the next one fired!”
Zhang Yang was furious. “We’re all coworkers. Do you really have to say things like that?”
“Zhang Yang, leave her alone. The more you argue with her, the more you give her what she wants.”
Zheng Wanning patted Zhang Yang on the shoulder without even sparing Lin Xiaomei a glance.
Seeing that Zheng Wanning was ignoring her, Lin Xiaomei’s brows shot up in anger.
She’d see how Wanning managed this time. Better yet, she’d keep making trouble. Lin Xiaomei couldn’t wait to see how it all ended for her.