America 1982-Chapter 153 - 55: Welcome to Stanford_2

"What happened in Vietnam stays in Vietnam. We helped Vietnam increase its birth rate, and instead of gratitude, these damn Vietnamese women chased us to America with their children, showing no love for their own country. When you don’t have love for your country, you must face punishment. We did the right thing, which is to pry open Bobby Black’s mouth. Once we pry open the first one’s mouth, no matter how many more there are, we will pry them all open."

...

"Our investigator got ahold of Jim Manzi’s itinerary, which shows that he once flew to California for some software trade show and stayed for two days." Delia sat at the coffee shop in the San Francisco Four Seasons Hotel, handing a document to Tommy Hawk: "A normal business activity."

Tommy Hawk passed the document to Susan Curtis beside him: "Susan, give this guy’s photo to those high-class courtesans at the entertainment companies, see if there’s any news of this guy seeking pleasure. If not, pick a few girls who like to perjure themselves and are tough enough to sling mud at him. Anyway, I want the records shown in court to reflect that Actor Corporation helped reform prostitutes back into society, whereas the president of Lotus Corporation tramples on women’s dignity."

"Sure." Susan took the document, agreed, and then smiled slightly at Delia before she stood up and left.

Watching Susan leave, Delia remarked, "Of your four companions, only she and the one named Jason truly believe in you, the other two have wavered before."

"I know, don’t worry, they won’t waver now." Tommy took a sip of his coffee: "Any other news from Lotus Corporation?"

"Software Arts Company has given testimonies against Lotus Corporation. After all, Lotus stole their business back in the day, and they wouldn’t want to waste an opportunity to kick them while they’re down. Plus, Mitch Kapor let slip in my presence that he discussed computer technology with a developer friend who works at Software Arts Company. In my eyes, that’s tantamount to Mitch Kapor probing into the trade secrets of Software Arts Company. If they want to rebut this, they’ll have a huge task proving otherwise," Delia stated calmly, observing Tommy.

Noticing Delia’s gaze, Tommy responded with a smile: "How have Mitch Kapor and Jonathan been doing lately?"

"Probably not too well. After all, who wouldn’t be in a bad mood waking up each morning to a group of protesting cheap prostitutes outside their home and the office? Two bookworms are being cursed at all day for stealing jobs from prostitutes. The investigators mentioned that these two guys have started to contact psychologists, looking to do two counselling sessions a week. The investigators will find a way to get their conversations with the psychologists."

"Speaking of which, the founders of Lotus Corporation are much weaker in mental toughness compared to the professional manager Jim Manzi," Delia added after some thought.

Tommy nodded with satisfaction: "Keep it up, escalate the pressure, until they need more than a psychologist but a psychiatrist, make them believe they’re stealing jobs from prostitutes, doing the wrong thing."

"Let’s get back to the issue you glossed over just now, Mr. Tommy Hawk," Delia insisted, looking Tommy in the eyes. "I don’t know what methods you used, but you assured me with certainty that the companions who had doubts are firm again, which made me feel that I was too unfriendly at our first meeting."

"Lawyer Kase, can we talk about business? I don’t think there was any problem with our first meeting, of course, I was very excited," Tommy said, feigning ignorance. "Shall we continue discussing work?"

"No." Delia took out her handbag, pulled out a check, and slid it across to Tommy: "The investigators need to be paid as usual, but you can take back my commission. However, I’m keeping the case law."

Tommy looked surprised, innocent: "What are you talking about, Lawyer Kase? It’s what you deserve, and I’m not stingy. Whether it’s the case law or the money, it’s rightfully yours."

"You’re a man with tricks, Tommy, your way of controlling your companions concerns me. The only thing I can guess is they all took your money, implying a high price for doing so, and clearly, my initial way of cooperating was too hasty because I underestimated you. I wanted both the precedents and the money. At our first meeting, I treated you like a college student, but now, I treat you as a mature man of my age," said Delia with a smile, addressing Tommy.

"I hope my discovery isn’t too late."

Tommy still looked perplexed as he gazed at Delia, trying to convince her that he was just a simple university student, but Delia shook her head slightly: "Stop pretending, Tommy. Lawyers need to be adept at psychology. Once I really set my mind to notice you, not even the most exquisite acting can fool me."

"Huh," Tommy sighed, looked down at the check, and then pushed it back towards Delia: "When did you start noticing?"

Delia took out a cigarette and deftly placed it in her mouth: "When I thoroughly understood Actor Corporation’s materials and discovered your methods from start to finish, and then there was something strange about the way Sophia responded when we exchanged information on a daily basis, so, as I guessed, replace me, destroy me, and find another lawyer who doesn’t charge?"

"I’m sorry, it’s too late, Lawyer Kase." Seeing her demeanor, Tommy simply dropped the act and looked at Delia squarely: "I did indeed think of replacing you, not because you weren’t good enough, but because I need another team of lawyers who don’t charge, to help me with another matter."

Delia laughed: "It’s really hard to imagine, you’re just a university student. If I want to avoid being replaced and ensure my full participation in this court case, do I need to pay to work for you?"

"Ms. Case, I really appreciate your efficient work ethic, and of course, I hope it’s you who will stand with me in court at the end, but I have already promised someone else, and one must keep their word." Tommy took out a lighter, struck a flame, and held it up to light Delia’s cigarette as he spoke:

"Or, if you insist on being involved, you’ll need to be ’sold’ by me once. You can keep that check as your earnings from the sale."

After a few seconds of silence, Delia finally spoke: "You want to sell me to Stanford Law School, to serve as a guest lecturer, and teach a few classes each semester?"

"Do you think so quickly when you’re not being arrogant?" Tommy said, his voice tinged with frustration. He picked up his coffee and stirred it: "Can you go back to the way you were in your office, with your pointed chin slightly raised, looking at me like that?"

Delia slightly raised her chin and crossed her left leg, smiling at Tommy: "Like this?"

Tommy smiled and nodded: "Exactly. With your reputation at Stanford Law School as a guest professor, Stanford University will of course be happy, and then you can continue to be the lead lawyer on this case. Lawyers from Stanford won’t have any complaints, and everyone will be pleased."

"So I can still take this check, since it’s now my selling price? And you’ve found Stanford University a law guest lecturer who doesn’t require a salary... Shit... And my words just now, they were also in your calculations," Delia’s smile had just appeared when her pupils suddenly narrowed, staring at Tommy Hawk:

"You know I’m not an idiot and that sooner or later I would discover your capabilities and methods, then come to you openly to talk about this, so you’ve been waiting for me, willing to be sold by you."

Tommy feigned confusion and rolled his eyes, then extended his hand to Delia: "The money is yours, the person is mine, so, are we happy to cooperate?"

Delia looked at Tommy, suddenly laughed, and clasped his hand: "Of course."

"Welcome to Stanford." Tommy squeezed Delia’s hand gently, then let go, spread his arms, and said: "Now we are family."