Book 1 - Active Trust Read Online Free PDF Page B

right
this way.”
    She led Michelle to the opposite
side of the giant room and to an office as big in size. She knocked
first, entered and ushered Michelle on through.
    Michelle stood until Mr. Briggs
broke the silence.
    “Ms. Mayor, how are you?”
    “I am doing great, Mr. Briggs
and yourself?”
    “I am doing fantastic. Let me
tell you. I have got the two finest lawyers working on two
separate, but equally important cases. You are working with The
Governor’s wife and Ms. Strauss is on the attack against Fassett
& Lews. Things couldn’t be better.”
    “I’m glad you approve.”
    “Listen, Ms. Mayor. I know that
you are on track to become a partner in our wonderful firm here, so
I wanted to offer my mentorship in your endeavors.”
    Mr. Briggs took a sip of his
beverage, placed it on a coaster on his desk and walked over to the
window.
    “You see, there is one extra
office up here in the penthouse and we want to give it to the
person who has worked the hardest. Both you and Ms. Strauss are in
that category and no one else.”
    “Thank you, Mr. Briggs, I
appreciate the good words.”
    “Call me Mack. Listen. I see
myself in you, Ms. Mayor, I do. I was once the associate who
handled domestic cases and now look at me. I’ve got fine attorneys
like you behind this great firm.”
    Michelle smiled a little and
nodded.
    “Listen. If I had my way, you
would already be up here in that empty office, ordering lattes from
Missy out there and this firm would be Briggs, Trice and Mayor. But
this is a partnership and we need all hands on deck before a
decision is made. I need to see you losing a bit of that nicer
touch. It’s great for the clients, but if you’re a partner, it
encompasses a whole lot more. We need a pit viper up here and if
you draw in new business, you will get a partnership.”
    “Yes, sir. I will toughen up
around the edges. I have what it takes to make you proud,
Mack.”
    She said his name like she had
been trying it out for the first time in her life.
    “That’s right, Ms. Mayor. I’m
going to mentor you and see that you become partner. Now, go and
get us those hours.”
    He smiled, extended his hand and
shook hers. She felt a renewed energy about where she stood in the
grand scheme of things. She wanted that partnership so badly that
she could taste it.
    In Mr. Trice’s office, however,
a similar pep talk was going down. Mr. Trice was sweet and to the
point.
    “Ms. Strauss, thank you for your
time, I know it’s short, so I will get right down to the
point.”
    Victoria nodded, knowing in her
head what he was going to say. She took a deep breath.
    “I know you and Ms. Mayor are
gunning for the partnership within Briggs & Trice. I have seen
your track record with billable hours and I must say, it is quite
impressive. Firstly, I must say, thank you. Secondly, while we
aren’t yet to announce a partner, I wanted to let you know that I
have decided to mentor you.”
    Somewhat let down, she said,
“Thank you, Mr. Trice.”
    “You are very welcome, Ms.
Mayor. Before I let you get back to the grind, I only have one
suggestion. I’m going to request that you be a little softer in
your approach with some of our clients. Some have said that you
were abrasive and that didn’t allow for any client referrals.
Despite that, your reviews have been stellar. We will reconvene
soon to discuss this matter, but until then, keep up the good
work.”
    She took it as a hit to her
character that Nathan Trice would call her abrasive. She followed
behind an obviously happy Michelle and wondered what that was all
about.
    “You look like you’ve received
some happy news.”
    “Mr. Briggs, I mean Mack, has
offered to mentor me to make me partner at the firm.”
    “Interesting.”
    “What was your meeting
about?”
    Victoria took a bit of a snide
approach in her response.
    “I didn’t get the partnership if
that’s what you mean, but I was called in because I’m
abrasive.”
    “Abrasive, really? I