Landlord in the Arctic

Chapter 413: Chapter 303: Setting Out (Part 2)

"This is a report from CPS, Child Protective Services," Cook said, producing another document. "When Fiona was eight, CPS received a report from her school. They launched an investigation, found that Ms. Valerie had serious issues, and recommended that the Sheriff counsel her."

As he spoke, Cook handed the document to Lawyer Peyton, a hint of nervousness in his eyes. He hoped this evidence would be crucial in the fight for Fiona’s custody.

"Very good. These documents are extremely useful."

After taking the documents and examining them carefully, the corners of Lawyer Peyton’s mouth turned up slightly, a rare look of satisfaction appearing on her face.

Seeing this, her young assistant quickly stood up, took the documents from Lawyer Peyton, organized them, and set them aside.

When Cook saw that Lawyer Peyton approved of the evidence, he was secretly thrilled. ’Not only will I get my fee, but I also skimmed a good amount from the expense fund.’ He then handed over another stack of documents and continued his presentation.

"This file contains records from the Baird Town Sheriff’s office. It includes multiple arrest records for Ms. Valerie for drug use. There are also witness testimonies from a community sobriety center, proving she has terrible lifestyle problems. Such an environment is extremely detrimental to a child’s development."

As he spoke, Cook handed this file to the young assistant as well, then picked up another document.

"This is Ms. Valerie’s credit report from the bank. It shows that Valerie has multiple outstanding debts, including one loan for as much as 50,000 US Dollars. She has also maxed out several credit cards and has been blacklisted, indicating she’s in dire financial straits."

After handing all the evidentiary documents to the young assistant, Cook’s gaze drifted involuntarily toward the door behind the counter. A hesitant look appeared on his face, and he lowered his voice to a near-whisper.

"I also have some videos... they’re of Valerie sleeping with a lot of men. Someone specifically filmed them. There are a lot. I thought they might be useful for Yves’s custody case, but... please, whatever you do, don’t tell Yves."

As he spoke, Cook was already swiping through his phone. He found a random video and hit play.

Instantly, the sounds of a fierce "battle" filled the cowboy shop. The noises were truly hard on the ears. The main woman’s voice was unmistakably Valerie’s, mixed with the unrestrained laughter of several men. Just from the audio, one could imagine how chaotic the scene was.

"That’s enough. Lawyer Peyton, I hope this evidence is helpful."

Feng Shan couldn’t stand to listen anymore. He quickly stepped forward, took Cook’s phone, and frowning, swiftly turned off the video. Then, with a serious expression, he handed the phone to the female assistant.

Although the evidence was indeed powerful, it left a bad taste in his mouth.

’Yves is such a good person.’

’How could his marriage...’

"Of course it’s helpful. With this much evidence, winning won’t be a problem." Lawyer Peyton unhurriedly picked up the coffee on the table and took a small, elegant sip, her posture poised and calm. She then looked to her female assistant.

"Fla, where is the nearest courthouse?"

"One moment, I need to look it up." The assistant, Fla, responded, quickly putting down Cook’s phone. She focused on the laptop in front of her, her slender fingers tapping rapidly on the keyboard. After a bit of research, she looked up and said,

"Ma’am, Baird Town is under the jurisdiction of Kalah County. Currently, there are three courts in Clyde City, Kalah County: the Kalah County Constitutional County Court, the 42nd District Court of Kalah County, and the Kalah County Justice of the Peace Court, Precinct 3. Your old classmate, Mr. Modi Watts, happens to be the presiding judge of the Kalah County Constitutional County Court."

"Modi Watts?"

Lawyer Peyton furrowed her brow slightly. After a moment of thought, she picked up her phone and expertly dialed a number.

The call connected quickly. Lawyer Peyton spoke first, "This is Kalina."

"I’m not in Dallas, I’m in Baird Town right now. I have a case that needs handling."

"It’s better to talk in person. It’s for Frank’s nephew. Yes, *that* Frank, the shameless scoundrel." Lawyer Peyton added a few more words. When she mentioned Frank, her tone seemed to carry a peculiar emotion, but she didn’t elaborate.

"Alright, I’m on my way over now."

After hanging up, Lawyer Peyton looked at Feng Shan. "We’re leaving for Kalah County immediately."

She was the epitome of a powerful woman—never one to dawdle, she acted immediately once a course was set, without a hint of hesitation.

Feng Shan, who greatly admired this kind of decisive person, responded at once, "Cook, have your rental company send another car."

"Right away, boss." Cook quickly pulled out his phone and called the rental company.

While they waited for the rental car to arrive, the assistant, Fla, went into the back of the shop and brought out Yves and his daughter.

Then, the assistant patiently helped Yves fill out the application form to change custody.

As they filled it out, she carefully explained the important points for each section.

Yves listened with a serious expression, asking questions from time to time. The eyes of both father and daughter were filled with deep expectation and hope.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Peyton called Feng Shan out of the cowboy shop.

The two stood outside the shop, looking at the street before them and the two particularly conspicuous gang members across the way. Lawyer Peyton was the first to speak.

"How is Frank these days? Is he still... interested in both men and women?"

The moment the words left her mouth, her tone carried the distinct air of a scorned woman, making it obvious she and Frank had a complicated past.

"Well..." Feng Shan was momentarily stunned, unsure of how to respond.

’From the sound of it, does this Lawyer Peyton have a thing for Frank?’

Lawyer Peyton didn’t seem to notice Feng Shan’s reaction. She gazed up at the azure Texas sky, as if lost in memory, and spoke as if to herself.

"You don’t have to answer. I already know. Frank was always one of a kind. Back in our days at Stanford University School of Law, Frank was the most dazzling guy around. So many girls would have given up everything for him. He was like a brilliant star, capturing everyone’s attention."

At this, Lawyer Peyton paused, a complex expression crossing her face.

"But, for the sake of a promise, he actually went back to that cold, desolate land after graduation. So many people felt it was such a waste. Everyone thought that with his talent, he could have had a much better career, but he chose that path instead."

"Still, I hear he’s doing pretty well for himself in Alaska now, and I’m genuinely happy for him." Although her tone held a hint of relief, it quickly shifted as she added with a touch of playful complaint, "It’s just a shame that after all these years, his mouth is still as foul as ever. He hasn’t changed one bit."

Heh.

Feng Shan couldn’t help but scratch his head as he listened.

’I really don’t want to hear about the past affairs of my elders. What if I hear something I’m not supposed to? How am I supposed to face Frank when I get back?’

’This is just too awkward.’

’I just hope she stops talking about this and we can get back to focusing on Fiona’s custody case.’

Just then, Lawyer Peyton’s tone shifted again. Her expression became serious once more, her eyes radiating an unquestionable professionalism.

"But Frank is Frank, and you are you. I don’t care what your relationship is. Since I’ve agreed to help you win this case, I will certainly do my best. But in return, my fee is not negotiable. You will pay every last cent."

"I understand, I get it." Feng Shan nodded hastily.

Soon, a black SUV appeared on the street. It drove straight toward the cowboy shop and finally stopped out front.

Following that, a young white man got out of the car, looked around, and shouted loudly.

"Hey, where’s Cook? I brought the car he wanted."

"Xiaote, shut up! I’m not blind."

Cook came out of the shop, looking annoyed at the young white man who had delivered the car.

Hearing the commotion, the others began to file out of the shop one by one.

....