I'm In Love With My Bestfriend's Billionaire Fiance!
Chapter 32: An Amendment For Chillz

Chapter 32: An Amendment For Chillz

(JACE)

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It was already dark when Ethan and I pulled into the plush parking lot of Thorne and Associates, one of the leading law firms in Silicon Valley. They were the most exclusive law firm and their fees were exorbitant. Even more, they were selective of the kind of clients they took on. They tried not to take on any client that would negatively impact their brand.

They had been my lawyers for years now and I had Thorne, the Boss himself, handling my legal issues. He was the one person that I could trust to take things as seriously as I wanted him to while also being discrete.

Before leaving the office, I had sent him an email telling him about the changes I wanted to make to the contract and what I wanted going forward. We were going to talk about it and figure out all the best ways this amendment could benefit Chillz.

Now, Ethan pulled the SUV to a halt before the building. It was a highrise building, towering high into the sky with dazzling lights shining off each floor. Despite the fact that it was already night, it looked as if the lawyers at Thorne and Associates were still hard at work.

"Jeez... your friend is overworking his staff," Ethan muttered as we opened the door and stepped out.

Without saying a word, I tightened my suit jacket and followed him towards the building. The security opened the door for us.

"We’ve been expecting you, sir," One of them said warmly, "welcome to Thorne and Associates."

I smiled in response as we made our way into the building. It seemed to be a different world. The interior was designed like the lobby of a hotel, it was clear and sparse and everything seemed to be draped in gold. The floor was tiled in gold, the chandeliers were gold, and even the doors of the elevator were gold.

"I can never get used to this," I muttered, squinting my eyes from the bright colors.

Just then, the golden doors opened and a young lady stepped out. She was wearing a bodycon gown and had her hair down across both sides of her face. She smiled at me as she tapped the tablet she was holding, "Hi, Thorne is ready to see you now. If you can please, follow me."

"Of course," I replied.

We followed her into the elevator, and on our way up, I glanced at Ethan. He was looking around, casing the elevator as if something was going to jump out of the skyroof and get me. As I stared at him, Casey’s words resounded dully in my head.

Had she been right? Was Ethan the one who told Kira about my affair? It didn’t make any sense, I just couldn’t figure out what he stood to gain from such a deception. He knew very well that my coming marriage to Kira was contractual and there were no feelings involved, he also knew that divulging such a secret to Kira could ruin a potential partnership that would have helped us all.

It just didn’t make any sense that he would do that. But then, you can’t ever really know someone, can you? People will always shock you when you think you finally know them for who they are. That’s just the sad truth. After all, Casey had been shocking me ever since we spent the night together. I had been foolish enough to think she was willing to risk everything to be with me, just as I was willing to. But I was wrong. At this point, I just don’t know what else I’m going to do about it.

Just then, there was a ding and the elevator came to a stop. We stepped out into Thorne’s outer office. It was plush and there were three desks there. Yeah, Thorne had three secretaries, all of whom had different roles in the office. And he also made them dress sexy and look gorgeous. To date, I still had no idea if that was for his benefit or his clients. Ethan stayed out with the secretaries while I walked into the inner office, where Thorne was waiting for me.

He was watching the gossip channel when I walked in. I could see from the captions that the hot news of the evening was about the basketball player who had been caught cheating on his fiancée with the daughter of his coach.

I glanced at the TV, and then at him.

"Why the hell are you watching Klevah TV?" I asked with a smirk, "Surely a man of your stature would have something better to do than listen to gossip."

"Come on, are you kidding me?" Thorne asked as he got to his feet and shook my hand firmly, "it’s so nice to see you again, Jace. Sorry, I couldn’t make it to your rehearsal dinner."

"I don’t accept that apology, you dumped me just so you could go on that cruise with the Prince of Saudi Arabia."

"Come on, he needs a lawyer that would oversee his affairs here in Silicon Valley, I had to clinch that deal. And the boat cruise was my best option. I’m still sorry though, I promise to make it up to you."

"Relax... I know you did what you had to do at the time," I brushed his concerns off. "Besides, it was only the rehearsal dinner. Plans are already underway for the actual dinner itself. You better not miss that one."

Thorne laughed out loud as he got up from his chair and went to his cabinet, he took out a bottle of wine and poured generous amounts into two tall glasses for us.

"Thank you," I muttered as I took one glass from him. Then, I took a sip, closing my eyes to savor the rich taste.

"It was brewed in Italy, and over sixty years old. Expensive as fuck!"

"Wow... this is why you watch the gossip channel? For things like this?"

Thorne laughed out loud at that, "You’re never going to let that go, are you?"

"Nah... not when it’s so funny. Besides, I always pegged you for a current affairs type of guy."

"Believe me, I’d rather not be any kind of guy. I have to watch all forms of news; politics, finance, and even gossip, because the people the news is about might end up being my clients. You see, I believe that poor basketball player would soon be in need of a lawyer when he decides to sue Klevah TV, either for defamation of character or something. And I’ll be right there with all the specs ready for the takedown."

I scoffed as I shook my head, "It’s always work with you, isn’t it?"

"Come on, you’re speaking as if it’s any different for you. And speaking of work, I read your mail and I went through the old contract. The changes you’re looking to make, they’re pretty bold. Do you think Leo and Kira would agree to them?"

"The contract is between myself and the current CEO of Beacon Studios, and right now that person is Leo, not Kira. So, Kira agreeing to all this or not doesn’t matter when you think about it."

"Okay then," Thorne nodded. "I’m already working on the new draft, it’s going to be several pages longer, but I should have the soft copy ready for you by morning."

"Send it straight to my mail, not to Lena. I don’t think that she’s happy with this decision of mine."

"She’s your staff, her opinions don’t matter." Thorne finished up his drink and poured out another glass. "But then, from a legal point of view, I wouldn’t advise this. Even if this is all legal and Leo agrees to these terms, Kira would never roll over and allow it. She would fight it with everything that she has. I’m not saying she would win the suit, but for you, this should be more than winning a lawsuit."

"If she takes me to court the fallout could be massive, I know that very well. I know that it could cost us our customers and investors, it could basically destroy both companies."

"Then, why are you doing it?"

I gently lowered my drink to the table, "I have a plan, okay? I’m sure that it would work out."

"You’re taking a big risk, Jace." Thorne told me, "As your lawyer, I’m warning you, this might not go as planned. I don’t even get why you’re trusting Leo, that man is a snake."

"So am I," I assured him. "Don’t worry, Thorne. I assure you, I’m only looking out for Chillz’s best interests."

"I can see that your mind is made up."

I nodded as I picked up my glass once more and finished up my drink. Thorne got to his feet and smoothened out his suit, he poured more wine for both of us and handed my glass to me. I got to my feet and walked over to his window, it was overlooking the roads of Silicon Valley, and I could see the dazzling lights dotted over the landscape. It was breathtaking.

Thorne came up behind me, "It’s beautiful, isn’t it? I don’t think I can ever get tired of the view."

I glanced at him as I smiled, "Believe me, I can relate."

A short silence between us, and then the lawyer spoke again, "Don’t worry yourself, Jace. I’ll have the amendment done for you, and then you both will sign. And once you’re married to Kira, Beacon Studios will be yours."

With my smile still in place, I clinked my glass against his. Neither Kira nor her uncle had any idea what I had in store for them.