"A lawyer?" Matthew studied the woman sitting across from him, but her face was unfamiliar.
The woman had long, dark brown hair that cascaded down her back. Her features had a hint of the Middle East, yet her tall fra was distinctly Western—she was clearly of mixed heritage, and her exquisite makeup made her look particularly striking.
At first glance, she bore a striking resemblance to Anne Hathaway.
A snakeskin-print collar top, a form-fitting light-brown pencil skirt, high heels, and a black handbag all contributed to a mature, professional style. She was the very picture of corporate elegance, exuding a sharp, polished deanor.
She was the kind of woman who would turn heads on the street. No one would be surprised if she turned out to be so kind of celebrity herself.
Matthew drew his eyes away from her, a hint of caution in his voice as he asked, "And whose lawyer are you?"
Jas McAvoy and Michael Fassbender exchanged a look, a single thought crossing their minds: could Matthew’s influence possibly extend into the legal community?
"I'm Amal Alamuddin, from Doughty Street Chambers." Seeing Matthew’s doubt, Amal Alamuddin smiled and explained, "I'm a colleague of Mr. Watson."
Matthew gave a wary nod. "You're here on behalf of the firm? I have a eting scheduled with Mr. Watson and a Mr. Kane from your office tomorrow."
Amal Alamuddin offered a graceful smile. "I ca today on my own behalf." She continued, "Could we speak privately?"
Matthew turned his head toward Jas McAvoy and Michael Fassbender, who imdiately understood. "Don't worry about us."
Jas grabbed Michael Fassbender and dragged him toward the restaurant.
Matthew considered for a mont before nodding. "Alright."
Amal Alamuddin smiled charmingly again. "Thank you."
"One mont." Matthew pulled out his phone. "I'll ask the hotel for a reception room."
Though he didn't know why she had sought him out personally, it was undoubtedly related to the previous night's incident, and discussing it here was certainly not a good idea.
Besides, she was a beautiful female lawyer; bringing her up to his private suite would be even more inappropriate.
Matthew stepped away to a quieter spot, called the concierge to request a eting room, and then discreetly snapped a photo of Amal Alamuddin from a distance.
He sent the picture to Emma Watson, then followed up with a call.
Emma was having dinner with her father. After listening to Matthew, she imdiately asked her father about the woman. Mr. Watson confird that she was indeed his colleague and one of the most capable young lawyers at Doughty Street Chambers.
"That woman is very skilled and audacious in her work," Mr. Watson said just before hanging up.
From that single sentence, Matthew ford a general impression of the lawyer nad Amal Alamuddin.
He then led her to a lounge upstairs. Before they entered, Brown Williams gave the room a thorough check.
"It's about the aftermath of last night's incident," Matthew said, gesturing for Amal to have a seat in the lounge.
"London's paparazzi are far too arrogant and reckless."
Amal sat on the sofa with practiced poise and asked, "Does Mr. Horner intend to take asures to protect his legal rights?"
Matthew didn't beat around the bush. "Of course. That's exactly why I contacted a law firm."
His lawyer, Wilson, only represented his interests in North Arica. The British legal system was different from the Arican one, and since the legal battle was likely to be a long one, finding a British lawyer was undoubtedly the best choice.
"With all due respect, Ms. Alamuddin," Matthew said, cutting to the chase, "I have a eting with representatives from your firm tomorrow to discuss everything. I wasn't inford that you would be coming today..."
"Please, call
Amal. May I call you Matthew?" she asked, smiling when Matthew nodded his assent.
An elegant smile never seed to leave her face. "Matthew, you don't currently have legal representation in the UK, do you?"
Matthew simply smiled without answering. The answer was obvious.
Amal Alamuddin pressed on. "When you negotiate with the firm tomorrow, could you appoint
as your attorney?"
Hearing this, Matthew wasn't surprised. He knew she must have a reason for approaching him directly.
He looked her over again. Amal Alamuddin seed to be around his age. In the legal profession, that would still make her a relative newcor, wouldn't it?
Amal opened her briefcase, took out several docunts, and placed them on the table.
"This is my license, my authorization to practice with the firm, and so other relevant docunts."
Matthew glanced over them, noting degrees from Oxford University and the New York University School of Law.
If these were genuine, then the woman before him was an academic powerhouse.
Next, Amal Alamuddin produced another stack of papers. "These are so of the cases I've handled."
Matthew didn't touch them; they weren't particularly important. This case was relatively minor, sothing any competent lawyer could handle.
But he was curious. Why had this lawyer co to him personally?
Seeing Matthew's lack of interest, Amal added, "If I'm not mistaken, you want to use this case to send a warning to the British dia, to make sure they don't go too far in the future. Am I right?"
Matthew couldn't help but smile. She was indeed very clever.
Of course, given that he was a Hollywood star, it wasn't a difficult conclusion to reach.
As he thought about it, the reason for Amal Alamuddin's personal visit beca clear.
Although he hadn't paid much attention to the fallout since that morning, judging by the events of last night and what Jas McAvoy had ntioned, the dia was in a frenzy over the incident.
If she beca his lawyer, she would have countless opportunities to face the dia. With his fa and influence, it would be easy for her to beco famous herself.
Even if he didn't know much about the legal industry, he understood one thing: a top-tier lawyer needed not only ability but also renown.
Amal possessed an elegant temperant and maintained the perfect posture of a capable professional, but a hint of anxiety lingered beneath the surface. She didn't have much ti. Tomorrow, Matthew would et with the head of the law firm, and she would likely lose her chance.
More importantly, in the legal world, n generally inspired more confidence and trust.
Since becoming a lawyer, she had achieved a asure of success, but it was far from what she truly wanted.
If she continued to climb the ladder step by step, it would take at least ten or twenty years to reach her desired position.
But how many decades does a woman have?
Besides, there were shortcuts in this industry—perfectly legal ones, of course.
She had studied the careers of many famous, high-powered lawyers, and one common thread was a widely publicized case. Representing a celebrity was, for many, a pivotal mont in their careers.
It was, without a doubt, a legitimate shortcut.
When she learned about the case at her firm today, she spent half the day deliberating before deciding to seize the opportunity. It took her pulling a lot of strings just to find out where Matthew Horner was staying.
He didn't know her, so her only option was to show up at his door and introduce herself.
Even from a cursory study of Matthew Horner's personality, she had prepared several strategies.
Judging by the dia's reaction today, not to ntion the coming legal battle, if she could beco Matthew Horner's representative, her na would instantly spread throughout the UK and the United States.
If the subsequent trial was handled properly, becoming a famous lawyer would be inevitable.
Amal Alamuddin had been eagerly awaiting a high-profile celebrity case, and now that one with such imnse potential influence was right in front of her, how could she possibly let it go?
That was why she had rushed to find him this evening.
And before she arrived, she had devised a series of counterasures, including so rather unconventional ones.
"Matthew, I am more than ninety percent certain I can send those two paparazzi to prison for over a year." Amal Alamuddin’s expression was confident. "And they will be denied parole."
She had done her howork before coming. The two paparazzi had already been fired from the Sun, a clear sign that Matthew's side had made a move. With a billionaire on one side and two nobodies on the other, the lawsuit itself wasn't complicated.
She knew that wasn't enough. "I will achieve any result you desire. Within the bounds of the law," Amal added.
She placed another docunt in front of Matthew. "Paparazzi like them, who sotis receive large payouts for major stories, aren't always scrupulous about paying taxes. I will also have the tax departnt launch an investigation into them."
Matthew wasn't too concerned about that part. If she was saying this, she must be fairly certain she could deliver.
"As long as there are issues with their taxes," Amal continued, "the fines from the tax departnt alone will be enough to bankrupt them and leave them destitute."
Matthew looked at her delicate, exotic face. "Other lawyers can do that. Why should I hire you?"
Amal Alamuddin fell silent for a mont. The lack of a recomndation from her firm was her weakness. The firm would never recomnd a junior female lawyer to handle a celebrity of Matthew's stature...
"I will waive my fee." Amal wanted more than just this one case. What if Matthew beca a permanent client of hers in the UK? She maintained her elegant smile and said, "I will serve you for free."
This woman was exactly as Emma Watson's father had described her. Matthew's understanding of her motives was now crystal clear.
At that mont, seeing Matthew still hadn't made a decision, Amal secretly gritted her teeth and decided to play her final card. "What Emma Watson can do, I can do too. If we sign a representation agreent, I will be at your beck and call."
(This woman was willing to do whatever it took to land a celebrity case, and in the end, she would indeed beco famous.)
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