Chapter Text
Anthony didn’t mind he was late to work. He spent the morning with a beautiful woman he’d met a night before at a hotel bar. As a new senior partner at Ledger Bridge, one of the top law firms in London, he thought his new status gave him the luxury of being late without consequence.
Ledger Bridge was a prestigious corporate law firm, specialising in high-risk lawsuits, mergers and acquisitions. Solicitors of the firm represented high-profile clients, from global banks to corporate giants and even notable personas, from celebrities to politicians and even the members of the Royal family.
Ledger Bridge was housed in a glass skyscraper in the heart of the London’s financial district. As Anthony stepped off on the firm’s highest floor, he was welcomed by the reception of well-dressed employees. The lobby was decorated with sleek marble floors and contemporary artwork. Glass-walled offices lined the corridor, showcasing a minimalist design that radiated modern luxury. As he walked down the hallway, he passed busy solicitors in tailored suits, working on huge cases.
His final destination was a corner office, the biggest one in the firm, where not many people dared to go to. Not because the owner was scary. It was due to her status — only a few got to see the managing partner of Ledger Bridge.
Agatha Danbury.
The legend among lawyers.
Anthony could see through the glass windows Agatha had a visitor in her office.
“…Turns out the bastard paid the woman to falsely testify and waste our time until the hearing. I almost lost the case,” Benedict was talking when he entered the room.
Agatha, in her long red dress, was sitting calmly on the white couch and caught the presence of a new senior partner. Benedict stood in front of her with his hands crossed. Anthony noticed a table with tea and biscuits and approached it.
“Benedict loosing cases? It’s only a Monday,” he said, taking one bite of a biscuit.
“I didn’t,” his brother replied, “I won Rose Nolan 750,000£ compensation for 2 years of sexual harassment from her employer.”
“Another pro bono. Aren't you tired?”
“Never,” Benedict smiled.
Benedict Bridgerton was a great lawyer. Anthony took pleasure in dominating and attacking but Benedict would bring new clients with a big smile and jokes. Agatha knew different clients needed different approaches. Benedict agreed to work at the firm if he was allowed to do pro bono cases from time to time.
“Benedict also brought in another big client," Agatha added smoothly. "Everything was signed this morning,”
"You see, Anthony? Had you been here on time, you might’ve been aware."
Anthony, came closer to his brother, grinning, “My apologies, dear brother. I was out late last night, celebrating my new position as a senior partner. Your wife was at the party as well. I’m sorry she didn't bring you along.”
“That would be funny if I had been married.”
Anthony paused. "Sophie isn’t your wife?"
“She is my secretary,” Benedict clarified irritably. Anthony smiled more seeing his brother’s reaction.
“On to business,” Agatha said as she stood, gracefully moving to her desk, ending the banter between the brothers, “Recruiting, Anthony. Your interviews are set up for this week.”
“Is this really necessary?” Anthony said annoyingly, "Must we really? Can’t we just hire one of those Cambridge summer trainees? They’re all the same, aren’t they?»
“I think if you listen to the phrasing of that question, you’ll come up with an answer,” Agatha’s reply made Benedict chuckle.
“Can we please skip the recruiting? I work better alone.”
“It’s a firm policy, Anthony,” Agatha said, “A senior partner hires a trainee.”
It was true. Since he was a senior partner, he had to hire a freshly graduated law student from Cambridge who would help him with cases. A trainee solicitor.
“Maybe you finally find someone you will care about,” Benedict added, mockingly placing his hand over his heart.
"Shouldn’t you be off doing your charity work?" Anthony said.
“That’s the difference between me and you, brother. I’m a lawyer because I want to help. You’re a lawyer because you want to be a number one.”
“And I am. I am the best closure in this city. A senior partner unlike you.”
“It’s not always about titles,” Benedict said.
“Tell it to your wife,” he said with a grin.
“She is not my wife. She is my secretary. Just like Theo is your secretary.”
A sound of a knock on a glass door appeared in the office. Anthony’s secretary, Theo Sharpe entered the room.
“Speak of the devil,” Anthony said quietly with a smile to Benedict.
“Anthony, Derek Fife is here,” Theo said.
Derek Fife, a managing director of Fife Technologies was one of Anthony’s big clients. An unscheduled meeting with a lawyer would mean one thing.
“First day as a senior and already a trouble in paradise,” Benedict grinned and took a bite of a biscuit.
Anthony looked at the managing director.
“Agatha, I think this means the recruiting will have to wait.”
—————
“Fife! Nice of you to show up unannounced,” Anthony confessed, entering his own office. A tall man in an expensive suit was standing next to Anthony's desk, “Please tell me you are here for tea.”
“Anthony, my wife filed for a divorce,” Fife said.
“I see you went right to the tea. What have you done, Derek?”
"Nothing!" Derek protested. "It was her. She’s seeing someone else. Says she’s in love with some bastard."
Anthony sat comfortably behind his working desk and looked up at Derek,“Why didn't you go to Daphne? She is the head of divorce in this firm.”
“Our divorce will affect my company. I have to cut some of the percentage of her shareholding.”
“How much does she own?”
“30 percent.”
"And you want to cut it down to?" Anthony asked.
“Five.”
Anthony let out a big sigh. That was a big amount.
“I guess this means we will meet her lawyer soon. Do you know who represents her?” Anthony asked.
“It's a guy named Sharma from the Dorset Law. Never met but I heard he is good.”
The Dorset Law was a rival of Ledger Bridge. Both companies had the best lawyers and fought hard for big clients. Anthony knew many lawyers from the firm. His best friend, Simon Basset, who was also his brother-in-law, worked for the firm until he quit to become a crown prosecutor.
“Well, he can’t be that good. He is not me,” Anthony grinned and pressed a button on the phone on the desk, “Theo, schedule a meeting with Margaret Fife and her lawyer.”
"It's been already scheduled. I just got a call from the the Dorset Law. They will be here in one hour.”
Anthony chuckled.
“I told you he is good,” Fife said.
Anthony just smiled because he felt like he found someone ready for a fight.
—————
He was excited to meet Sharma. The man seemed like someone who was prepared to attack.
As Anthony approached the conference room, his eyes fell on a woman standing by the window. She stood there gracefully in a dark green dress. The lady was tall and had a dark brown skin. Her wavy black hair looked like the finest silk. Anthony thought she was stunning.
This must be Fife’s wife.
“Mrs. Fife!” Anthony said, stepping into the room with his usual confident stride, noticing a presence of a sweet scent. As the woman turned, he noticed she was holding a blue folder in one hand. He approached her, extending his hand, “Anthony Bridgerton. It seems your lawyer is running late.”
“Actually, I advised Mrs. Fife not to come,” she said giving him her free hand, “I am Kate Sharma. I represent Margaret Fife.”
Anthony blinked, momentarily caught off guard, before chuckling.
“What’s so amusing?” Kate asked.
“My apologies, I didn’t expect someone so gorgeous as you, my lady,” he said with a grin.
Kate rolled her eyes, “Let me guess you expected a man in a boring black suit. I should also add I won’t be charmed by your flattery and a pleasing smile.”
“So, you find my smile pleasing?”
“Anthony Bridgerton, I am here to propose an offer,” Kate said handing him the folder, "My client intends to retain her shareholder position and board seat after the divorce.»
“Don’t you think it's a bad idea for a divorced couple to keep working together?”
“Not if a company that they both founded is involved.”
Anthony opened the folder and quickly went over the pages. Both of them took their sits on opposite sides of the table.
“My client wants to cut Margaret’s shareholding down to 5 percent,” Anthony declared closing the folder.
“5 percent?!” Kate exclaimed, “This is absurd. It won’t happen.”
“Well, she should have thought about it before cheating on her husband.”
Anthony’s words made Kate laugh and he thought it was the most pleasant sound on this planet.
“What’s so amusing?” he asked.
“I’m just surprised how naive the lawyer I heard so much about, the legendary Anthony Bridgerton is.” Kate opened her briefcase and threw four different pictures on the table.
“May, April, June, and July of the last year. Your client with four different women before Margaret met James Cho.”
His eyes darkened,“How did you get these?”
"Does it matter?" Kate's voice was calm, but her eyes were sharp. "What matters is how damaging this could be to both your client’s reputation and his company. I suggest you take our offer."She approached the glass door and stopped, taking a last glance at Anthony. “Unless you want to go to trial and see me wipe that smile off your face,” she said, "Because I will.”