Chapter 156 - Checkmate

"Hey, Jacky. Where you able to get me an appointment this morning?" She asked as she walked back to her office after the meeting with the other partners in the conference room.

"Yes, you have an hour to get to the meeting. I just called for a favor so my friend could squeeze you in the schedule today." Jacky told her as she continued to type on her computer without looking up.

"Good. I'll leave in five minutes. I like to make some phone calls first." She moved towards her office and sat down on her chair.

It was a busy morning, and she had no time to spare for idle chitchats with Jacky. She took the receiver off its hook and started dialing an outside number. 

"Excuse me, Boss. You did not let me finish. Your appointment won't be in the office. My friend told me that he would meet you at this restaurant." Jacky stated as she suddenly appeared in her office and placed the note she made with the complete details.

"I'm sorry. I am just literally swamped." She placed her two hands together to ask for forgiveness from Jacky, placing the phone in between her cheek and shoulder.

"Fine." Jacky walked away from her and outside her office, closing the door behind her.

She did not mind. She knew that Dani was taking more cases that she was not sure if she could handle. But she could only not stop her friend, but only helped her in any way she could.

"Hello, Can I speak to Mr. Ryan Damon Brett?" She spoke calmly on the phone.

"Who's this?" The man on the other line answered with a pleasant voice.

"I'm Ms. Daniella Hamilton. I wish to inform you that I am representing Ms. Ria Barbara regarding her claim that you are the father of her son. We will also be demanding child support regarding the matter." She quickly told him before he hanged up the phone on her.

Or maybe he already did because she did not hear him respond. However, the line was still on as she did not hear any beeping sound indicating that he already ended the call.

"I don't know what she told you, but it is all lies." The man proclaimed on the line before ending the call.

"At least now, I know what I am dealing with." She breathily said as she also placed the receiver back on its cradle.

She established that Ria was telling the truth that Ryan refused to acknowledge his son. Although, it was still debatable at this point since there was no physical evidence supporting their claim. The case remained, he said, and she said case. But she believed that Ria was telling the truth based on her gut feeling.

It was not a hundred percent accurate way of assessing a situation. There were a few times her instinct did fail her. But she was sure this time was different.

Thirty minutes after, she was now standing outside the restaurant written on her note. She knew she had time to spare, but she wanted to proceed with the meeting if it was already possible. 

The influential man she was meeting with was one of the highly celebrated philanthropists in this city. His foundation had the highest record of assisting the less fortunate ones.

She would like to seek his help first about the condition of the son of her client. If he declined, then that would be the time she would decide to take a new course of action.

"I'm here to see, Senator Donald Brett. He is expecting me." She announced to the hostess assigned in front of the restaurant.

"Of course, Ms. Hamilton. He is already waiting for you inside." The hostess answered her, recognizing who she was. 

The hostess quickly opened the door and ushered her inside, working her way around the tables. She followed her until she reached an exclusive area further inside the restaurant. There she could see that the Senator was eating with a man opposite to him.

She did recognize him as one of his advisors that she frequently seen with the Senator in his everyday activities.

"Good morning, Sir, but Ms. Hamilton is already here." The hostess alerted the Senator, who was silently observing her as she approached the table.

"Of course, Ms. Hamilton. Join us." The Senator offered the seat beside him. The man beside him pulled up a chair for her.

"Well, you look lovelier than the photos I have seen of you." The Senator complimented.

"Thank you, Senator Brett, for fitting me with your busy schedule at short notice." She was not easily swayed with compliments when she was on a mission.

"I'm sure that as a friend of your father, I can always give time to your cause." The Senator said.

"Anyway, regarding why I am here." She did not want to waste any more of her time as she handed him a folder of the case she prepared.

"Why don't you join me first for lunch before we discuss this matter?" Senator Brett suggested, calling for the waiter.

"I am honored, but I am afraid I had to decline. I am in a tight schedule and only have a few minutes to spare." She was not about to get sidetracked with her plans.

"Wow, now I know I should not be messing with a woman like you. You know what you want, and you are ready to get it. You are indeed your father's daughter." Senator Brett said as he started to open the folder.

"I'll take that as a compliment." She uttered with pride. 

She waited as he skimmed through the file, then placed it down on the side of the table.

"I see that there is some urgency in the case of this baby boy. I am sure that my foundation can do something about this immediately." He announced. 

"Yes, as you can see. The boy needs the operation at the soonest possible time. This boy has a chance for a normal and happy life if you, Sir, could help him." She emphasized the man beside her.

"I'm sure that there are also several foundations that you could have asked for help." Senator Brett looked at her, curious why she chose him for this particular case.

"I could. But I chose you because of a particular preposition I want to discuss with you." She knew that she was finally getting the full attention of the Senator.

His eyes lit up as realization came to him of why she was here. "Carl, would you mind leaving Ms. Hamilton and me for a few minutes." He looked at his advisor, who had a curious look on his face.

"Sure." The man quickly stood up and excused himself from the table, and walked away.

Alone on the table, the Senator called the waiter once again and had his drink refilled. "What about a drink?" He offered once again, but once again, she refused.

In silence, Senator opened the file again and checked the content, this time thoroughly studying the file and the picture attached to it.

When his new drink was in his hand, he dropped the file on the table. "Now, tell me what this is all about, and don't leave out any details." The Senator said after taking a sip on his newly refilled drink.

She handed him another piece of paper containing her proposal. "Think of it as me saving all of us from getting a terrible headache." She calmly spoke as she placed her hand on the table. 

She knew when the Senator remained silent, still maintaining his composure after reading the paper, he was ready to hear her out. She knew she had him where she wanted him, checkmate.