Chapter 53: The Agreement

"Andre, if you want to inherit your father's company, signing this property inheritance entrustment agreement is unavoidable."

Harvey Specter actually knew something about Li Mochen's affairs: "Property inheritance has legal procedures, and they can't make too much of a fuss, nor would they for the sake of the law firm's reputation. But if it were me, I would work on the property appraisal price. You know, in America, if the inherited property exceeds one hundred thousand gold shields, you have to pay a large estate tax."

Li Mochen looked puzzled: "But the Rising Sun Company is now close to negative assets."

"But you have the Archibald Apartments project under construction, don't you? That's where they can make a fuss."

Lawyer Specter smiled slightly: "They can appraise the project at three hundred thousand, or at over thirty million gold shields, as long as it doesn't exceed that number, it's within a reasonable range. At Georgia's thirty-five percent estate tax rate, that would burden you with over nine million five hundred thousand gold shields in heavy taxes. You definitely can't come up with that money, Andre, so you'd need to auction off equity to pay the tax. And due to legal loopholes, even selling the entire Rising Sun Company might not cover the estate tax, so your company would already belong to someone else the moment you inherit it. Of course, you could file a lawsuit, but the money spent in litigation could also bankrupt you."

"But isn't that betraying the client?"

"Not really, as long as the IRS assigns a suitable real estate appraiser. That way, the Caglen Law Firm can achieve its goal while staying out of it."

A chill crept into Li Mochen's eyes: "I think you must have a way to deal with it?"

"One option is to sell your apartment project to Antonio. I know him; he's relatively mild-tempered among the gang bosses. If he can get what he wants through more peaceful means, Antonio won't refuse."

Specter watched Li Mochen's reaction carefully, then decisively offered a second option: "If you can't accept that, there's another way: before they start the appraisal, have the Rising Sun Company voluntarily submit an application to the city government, citing opposition from residents as a reason to suspend the Archibald Apartments project. Of course, this assumes you still have enough control over the Rising Sun Company. If you can manage that, I can get the city government to finalize it within a day. That's my promise to you, Andre. Also, if you can afford it, I can even help you set a trap for the Caglen Law Firm."

Li Mochen was intrigued: "A trap? Could you elaborate?"

Specter raised an eyebrow: "Again, start with the IRS. Find a way to get them to assign an appraiser who has had no prior business dealings with the Caglen Law Firm. Since there's no prior relationship, they'd have to re-establish rapport and negotiate, right? At that point, a skilled magic hunter or magic shadow, plus a high-tech surveillance recording device, can solve the problem. With us plotting against the unsuspecting, our chances of success are high. I think neither Antonio of the Blood Hand Gang nor the Caglen Law Firm would be wary of a young man who just lost his parents and is helpless. If we catch evidence of them colluding with the appraiser, they won't dare bear the infamy of betraying a client. We can likely force the Caglen Law Firm and the appraisal agency to pay you a huge sum to settle, and also get Remington Daniel to lose his lawyer's license and job."

Li Mochen said nothing more until the young man named Mike Ross drove the car to a remote, deserted lakeside on Lake Lanier. Then he leisurely got out and threw the body of the man in sunglasses into the lake.

This disposal method seemed somewhat casual, but he had actually treated the body before discarding it. The surface of the corpse remained intact, but its bones, meridians, and even flesh had been shattered into pieces by his true energy and internal force. Especially the bones—every inch had been repeatedly crushed into powder by his palm force. So within less than a quarter of an hour after entering the water, the body would naturally decompose, becoming food for the small fish and shrimp.

Li Mochen stayed there, watching a large number of fish churn on the surface, vying for the 'food,' until the commotion gradually subsided. Then he had Mike Ross drive away from the disposal site.

There might still be some residual flesh and bone powder, but it would mix into the mud below and be hard to separate. Even if the police found it, they couldn't identify who it was.

Li Mochen had read in the newspaper that although someone in this world had invented DNA comparison technology eighty years ago, the technology was still confined to laboratories. The equipment required for DNA comparison was expensive, and the process took a long time, so it had yet to become widespread.

By the time the police could actually confirm the person's identity, all relevant evidence would have faded into the past.

"The lawsuit against the Caglen Law Firm can be left to you. But I can't pay; the fee will be fifty percent of their settlement money, okay?"

"Eighty-five percent!" Lawyer Specter shook his head: "You have to consider the costs and upfront investment. Even if you put a gun to my head, I won't budge an inch."

Li Mochen indeed took out the Alloy Roar 3221 again and pressed it against Harvey Specter's head: "I think sixty percent is a reasonable price."

"At least seventy percent! I won't back down anymore."

An awkward smile appeared on Specter's face, but his expression was firm. Seeing Li Mochen put away the gun, he feigned nonchalance and straightened his lapel: "Then it's a deal? I think the result will satisfy you. Shall we go back to Black Star Tower to sign the contract?"

Mike Ross also let out a long sigh of relief, thinking that the crisis of being silenced was probably over.

When the three returned to the building, it was already nightfall. The building, which had been bustling five hours earlier, was now empty.

Li Mochen looked at the Caglen Law Firm's sign in the elevator, his mood somewhat complicated. But then he collected his thoughts and followed the two into the twelfth floor, where the Pearson-Darby-Specter Law Firm was located.

Even on a Friday night, someone was working overtime in the office. Harvey Specter quickly drafted the details of the entrustment contract. After obtaining Li Mochen's consent, both parties signed their names and affixed the law firm's seal.

Notably, Specter deliberately set the contract signing date as October 13, seven days later.

"This is to prevent accidents. If the contract falls into the hands of our opponents, it could become evidence. Signing the agreement a few days early might seem maliciously targeted, which would be a negative point in court. Also, on Monday, I'll have my colleague go to your company for guidance."

Specter organized the contract documents and shook hands with Li Mochen again: "Then happy cooperation, Mr. Li. I know you might prefer this form of address."

Li Mochen also stood up: "There's one more thing I'd like to entrust to your law firm."

"Please go ahead?"

Specter was still all smiles.

After returning to the Pearson-Darby-Specter Law Firm, his wariness of Li Mochen had dropped to a low point.

The security company responsible for Black Star Tower had four outlaws stationed there permanently. There was also a strict magical array to prevent any accidents—and that was the reason for the high rent at Black Star Tower.

But he still maintained sufficient respect for the man before him.

Li Mochen was very satisfied with Specter's attitude: "Next Monday afternoon, I'm going to the Eastern Headquarters of the Nathan Sports Group to sign a sponsorship contract. I would like to have legal assistance from your Pearson-Darby-Specter Law Firm."

The name of this law firm was quite a mouthful, but that precisely demonstrated their strength.

Only lawyers with a certain industry reputation would dare put their names at the front of a major law firm.

And Li Mochen believed that the Specter lawyer before him had proven his capability.

"Nathan Sports Group?"

Harvey Specter's face showed even more smiles: "Then how about having Mike go with you? Although he's my associate lawyer, he has earned the title of Senior Associate in our firm. Mike's hourly rate isn't high, only 120 gold shields."