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When Chase Black had approached him for assistance in the meddlesome affair concerning his mother's locked inheritance and his own frozen assets... well, Rob had to admit that he'd been a little intimidated.

Despite only having been on Destiny City for a little over a year now, Robert Banks had made it a point to learn names and faces of the city's social elite - which had, inevitably, included the young heir to the massive Black fortune.

Having been gone for nearly half a year, the story surrounding his disappearance had been some of the most delectable gossip for most of the ladder climbers and the old farts. Rob, on the other hand, found it all the more intriguing when the young man had returned to the city just as mysteriously as he'd disappeared.

Some people had spoken of kidnapping. Some had spoken of foul play where Laralee Black had been concerned.

Rob?

Rob simply made a point to ensure that one of his cards made it into the young Black's hand.

When he'd been approached with the task, it had been both a surprise and an ego stroke. The job, sincerely, should have been handled by an entire legal team and not by a small office in a run down shopping center that consisted of two small time lawyers... but Robert wasn't going to say no, there wasn't a fat chance in Hell that he'd give up such a shot to prove his worth.

So, with the ample retainer on hand and the promise of a grossly beautiful paycheck at the end of this adventure, he'd hired on a few paralegals for assistance and had gotten to work.

Overall, it was simple in theory.

The burden of proof had fallen on the State to figure out the responsible party in Laralee's death and the State had failed to pin enough evidence to hold Chase Black responsible for the mysterious death of his remaining parent. So, after weeks of little sleep and court dates, they had finally come to the end of the largest legal nightmare that Rob had ever taken part in and Chase was cleared of suspicion, which led to the secondary nightmare of cutting through more red tape to unlock the fortunes - both current and new.

A single packet of documents was all that now stood between his client and the vast wealth he would be coming into. The documents had been drafted up too late in the afternoon for the paralegals to deliver, so Rob felt it best to deliver the papers in person, himself.

So, a text exchange and a short drive later, Robert Banks soon found himself on the doorstep of a very, very nice looking house. One that certainly put his own to shame - all the more reason to go to the client as opposed to requesting the client come to him.

It had proven to be a long day at the office, but aside from the exhaustion in his eyes and step, no one could tell the difference. Wrinkles were unprofessional and messed up hair was a sin when it came to putting on the appropriate front with clients, so Rob was always a stickler to ensure neither happened.

Aside from squaring away the documentations for the Black case, he'd spent most of the day drafting up Last Wills & Testimonies for some of the more elderly members of Destiny City's population.

Hey - money was money, whichever way he could obtain it meant it was worth it.

Stepping inside the foyer, hazel eyes glanced around as he drank in the rich surroundings of the home. The folder remained at his side as he followed his host and client into the adjacent room.

"I'm sorry for the delay, Mr. Black. I wanted to ensure everything was correct before bothering you to sign them; I prefer to avoid any more red tape than necessary. Dotting i's and crossing t's, that sort of thing."

Once in the living room, he made a beeline for the coffee table near the couch, taking his time as he opened up the folder and began pulling out the official-looking documentation.

"Most of these papers are in regards to your own assets - acknowledging what is yours, what was left when you did, how much interest has been accrued in the stocks and bonds while you were gone, that sort of business."

Reaching into his breast pocket, he pulled out an ink pen and twisted it open, setting it atop the cover page. Beneath lay a dozen or so papers, each one with highlighted marked tabs for where a signature was required. It hadn't been the first time Mr. Black had been approached for such but hopefully, would soon be the last.

"The official relinquishing of your mother's estate will happen once the State officially recognizes her death as resolved."

Well... resolved as unresolved - at least Chase was now off the hook from the initial incrimination he'd received. "Since you are listed as Executor but was not around at the time of her death, the state appointed an administrator to take over."

Pulling out another set of documents from his binder - a smaller stack this time, thankfully - he set it alongside the first set. "This is the documentation agreeing to resume your responsibilities and the administrator will relinquish their rights. As you are not the only beneficiary listed in her will, you will be responsible for seeing that her wishes are carried out."

Leaning back into the couch, hands folded themselves in his lap as he studied the paperwork he'd worked tirelessly on, then to his young client. God only knew what a person with that sort of money did.

"Feel free to ask any questions as they arise."

If there was one thing that Robert Banks had, it was time.

He had time when it came to waiting on court dates. Case files. Appointments. His damned cat. Waiting on clients to review his documentation was to be expected - in fact, he was more than proud of his work and it would be a pity if someone were to skim past the hours he toiled over.

Hands did not fidget, despite the cuff link on his left jacket arm looking very toy-able. Eyes remained glued on Black's heir, watching the young man's golden gaze study the typed print.

"Provided it's acceptable to your standards, I'll have the paperwork hand delivered to the courthouse tomorrow." One hand finally moved, lifting to rest on the arm of the couch while one leg rose to cross over the other. "From there, I'd give it about a week or so, give or take the government's speed with processing."

Eyes lit up as he was caught off guard by the unprecedented offer. While Rob was hopeful that his work with Black's account would have him remembered for future lawyer needs, he hadn't expected to be called upon so terribly soon.

How absolutely delightful.

"While it's not my particular forte, I'm not a stranger to the world of business law." His free hand moved up to brush away invisible lint from his slacks. Confidence was never an issue when it came to Robert and his abilities. "I would be more than happy to look it over and if I'm uncomfortable with the magnitude, I know a few people I could refer you to in my stead."




Robert Banks, for the record, had absolutely no intentions of referring clients elsewhere.

While Rob might have been a shitty husband and a terrible friend, he was, at least, a damn good lawyer.

His hand on the couch's arm rose, the older man propping his elbow on the fabric to allow his chin to rest gently on the back of his folded knuckles.

Without a shadow of a doubt, Chase Black was an intimidating man. Anyone with that much wealth and influence could make or break a no-name such as himself, so Robert knew that respect was key.

Well. Respect and a healthy amount of a**-kissing.

"I'm a firm believer of always being available for my client's every need." He replied smoothly, eyebrows arching slightly at his emphasis on closely. The crossed leg wavered slightly as his head tilted itself. "And, as you can tell, I have no issue in making house calls at all hours."

His chin rose from his hand, back pressing into the couch (and completely ignorant of the amount of dark cat hair that thinly coated the furniture). He appeared relaxed. He probably was.

"The client's needs are my first priority, Mr. Black, I assure you."

As the papers slid towards him, the lawyer moved forward to receive them, breaking himself out of the carefully positioned comfort he'd allowed himself to fall into. The stack was mindfully slid back into its folder, precious cargo that stood for ridiculous amounts of money that at least one of the two men in the room would get to see.

Sorry, Rob - not this time.

"While our practice serves a healthy number of clients..." he practically purred, lying through his perfectly white teeth, "I would be personally devoted to your needs and requests. I aim to please, as does the rest of my firm."

He wasn't about to confess that the law firm had survived the past year on drafting Wills and accident disputes. The fact he'd managed to land such a case as Black's...well, it was certainly a door opener for more opportunities, but until those opportunities appeared, he was at the young man's mercy.

"If I might be so bold - forgiveness implies error."

Although he had inched his way towards the side of the couch, he remained sitting straight and tall.

"And I don't make errors."

As he offered his well-practiced smile, inwardly, Rob was desperately praying to whatever heavenly being was listening:

PLEASE DON'T LET ME ******** UP.

He hadn't expected the tongue cluck, the older lawyer feeling rather admonished by the young businessman's reaction. Robert could feel the flushed color creeping up past the collar of his dress shirt, his throat and cheeks tinging a soft pink at being called out for his cocky responses.

"Please consider me aptly chastised then, Mr. Black. I've yet to fail a client, so perhaps I find myself a bit overly confident in my abilities."

Collecting the folders, he rose from his position on the couch and straightened out the wrinkles from his suit's jacket. A wayward black hair or two managed to come tumbling down, despite there being no cat in sight amidst the living room. Hazel eyes looked down on the golden ones that kept their focus on him. It was unnerving, admittedly, but he wasn't about to let himself get shaken up by a rich client with a hard-on for putting others in pegs below his own.

Rob knew he was still dangling on a low section of the totem pole - and it was that knowledge that kept him crawling and fighting his way towards the top.

"On that note, I should ensure that everything is in order before I arrive to the courthouse tomorrow. I'm not one to enjoy eating my own words, especially after assuring my clients that they're in the best hands, legal wise."

As far as clients went, Chase Black was definitely one of a kind.

Making his way down the curved path that led towards the long driveway, Robert refused to look back behind him, choosing to keep his focus on his footing and his tight grip on the folders in hand.

Elderly ladies doted on him. Gentlemen offered him drinks and backslaps. Everyone appeared grateful for the effort he went to ensuring they got what they wanted.

Chase Black... well, Chase Black merely wanted more.

Shaking his head, he finally glanced back towards the mansion once he slid into the safety of the driver's seat. The door was thankfully closed by then, the owner having returned to whatever it was he was doing prior to his visit.

There was more than decent money to be had where Black was concerned.... but Rob couldn't help but wonder if he was selling his soul to earn a piece of it, at the end of the day.