Chapter 58

The car was parked right in front of the insurance company.

It was my first time here. The insurance company was a standalone building with "K.Berkshire" hanging above it. It looked pretty impressive. I remembered the name from the policy and was sure it was the same company.

Howard jumped out of the car faster than usual, looking unusually eager. I got out with a look of disdain. Business people were never as simple as they seemed. Howard's warm-hearted and loyal reputation was just a facade.

As soon as we walked in, the security guard at the front desk stopped us. "Hello, sir. Do you have an appointment?"

Howard glanced at me, not wanting to look awkward in front of his subordinate. He patted his expensive suit, which he rarely wore, and cleared his throat, "Howard Martin."

"Hello, Mr. Martin. Do you have an appointment?" The guard was super professional, with a polite smile on his face. I almost laughed out loud, silently watching Howard squirm.

Howard looked embarrassed, glared at the security guard, and pointed to himself, "I, Howard Martin, haven't you heard of me? Founder of the Silverlight City Legal Journal." Then he pointed to me, "This is Nancy Johnson, editor-in-chief and senior partner of the Silverlight City Legal Journal. Do we need an appointment to come here?"

Did I agree to this senior partner position? This guy just gave me a title...

"Hello, Ms. Johnson. I'm sorry, I haven't received any news about an interview from the Silverlight City Legal Journal. How about this, you can sit on the lobby sofa and wait for a moment. I'll call my superior, and if there's any news, I'll let you in immediately." The security guard was very polite, bowed slightly, and took out his phone to make a call.

"Do you believe that if we write a news article tomorrow, your company won't be able to continue? Do you even know whose territory this is? You are so arrogant..." Howard said.

Seeing that he was about to embarrass himself, Howard rolled up his sleeves, ready to argue. I quickly pulled him back and smiled at the security guard, "Sorry, we're here to find someone. Is Mr. Tom Harris here?"

"Tom Harris?" The security guard frowned, "Sorry, we don't seem to have a client named Tom Harris here."

"Howard!" Just then, a man came out of the VIP room in the lobby and greeted us.

It was Tom.

It had been a while since I last saw him in court. He still looked the same, with medium-short hair slicked back with thick hair gel, gold-rimmed glasses that made him look refined, and a well-fitted gray suit that looked expensive.

After exchanging a few words with the manager from the VIP room, he quickly walked towards us. Seeing that he knew us, the security guard didn't stop us anymore, apologized, and left.

"Tom! Making big money again, huh?" Howard patted Tom's shoulder boldly.

"Come on, Howard, you're kidding me. I'm here to discuss some business. I just finished and saw you. Are you here for business too? Let's sit on the lobby sofa and catch up. It's been a while, and I can learn a thing or two about business from you, Mr. Martin." Tom said.

Then the three of us sat on the lobby sofa, and the waiter brought three cups of coffee.

"I'm getting old and want to customize an insurance policy." Howard touched his nose and smiled perfunctorily, with a hint of smugness in his tone.

"And this is..." Tom's expression changed slightly when he saw me, and he asked with a smile.

"Let me introduce you formally, the former prosecutor of Silverlight City, the top contributor to the Silverlight City Legal Journal, my right-hand assistant, our company's reporter and editor-in-chief, Nancy Johnson!" Howard said.

I didn't pay attention to Howard's exaggerated commercial flattery. I nodded slightly to Tom and smiled, "Hello, Mr. Harris."

From that look in his eyes, I knew he recognized me from the courtroom, even though I was wearing sunglasses that day.

But I was curious. The victim's family sat on the left side of the courtroom, and the witnesses sat on the other side. He shouldn't have seen me.

Could it be that Tony or Zack tipped him off? If so, then Howard's repeated attempts to meet him might be because he already knew I was here.

"Hello, Ms. Johnson. Nice to meet you." Tom stood up, ready to shake my hand, with a very good attitude.

I stood up and shook his hand, smiling, "Really, Mr. Harris? I remember this should be our second meeting."

At this point, all the pleasantries were pointless. I needed to confirm his connection to the case and his relationship with Zack and Tony. So, I went straight to the point, no pretense.

When he saw me, he was already flustered. I didn't know why, but I was sure he was in turmoil inside.

Howard was also stunned by my words, then pretended to be confused and laughed, "You two really have a connection."

"Do we?" Tom frowned, thought seriously for a moment, and apologized, "I'm really sorry, Ms. Johnson. Please forgive me, I truly forgot."

"Silverlight City Court, True Love Entertainment Club murder case. Mr. Harris, you were a witness at the trial. Have you forgotten so quickly?" I said calmly, watching Tom's expression closely.

Tom responded, suddenly realizing, and repeatedly apologized with a smile, "I remember now. When I left the courtroom, I saw you talking to a young reporter from the Silverlight City Legal Journal. Since this newspaper was founded by Howard, I thought about saying hello, but seeing you talking to the reporter and having other matters to attend to, I left. Ms. Johnson, you are indeed a legal professional, with an amazing memory. I admire you."

I recalled that day. I did say a few words to Zoey. At that time, Tom and I had brief eye contact from a distance, but this reason seemed too far-fetched.

"Yes, that was my apprentice, Zoey." I didn't intend to say any more pleasantries and went straight to the point, "After listening to the trial that day, I found many doubts in the case. Since we've run into each other today, can we talk in detail about what you saw that day?"

Tom took off his glasses and rubbed his temples, looking very tired. He occasionally glanced at Howard, indicating that he didn't want to answer this question.

Howard, at this moment, was engrossed in a cooking show on his phone, nodding occasionally, deeply engrossed.

"This matter has been over for a while. The memories of that day are not pleasant. If it's not a mandatory cooperation, can we talk another day? I have some matters to attend to." Tom stood up to leave.

"How about this, Mr. Harris. I remember you said you were waiting for a client that day. May I ask the client's name?" I stood up and stopped Tom.

"Business secret, no comment." Tom's face turned livid.

"Is it Alan Smith?" I said calmly. Tom's mind was already in chaos. Mentioning Alan's name would surely expose his facade.

"Ms. Johnson, as a journalist with experience in the prosecutor's office, please always be mindful of your identity. Do not falsely accuse others. This is not good for the reputation of the Silverlight City Legal Journal." Tom adjusted his glasses and sneered.

Although he was speaking to me, he was looking at Howard. The meaning was clear. This was a threat and a warning.

Howard seemed not to hear, picked up his phone, and made a call, "Hello? Zoey, it's Howard. How about dinner tonight..."

Seriously, Howard? You could at least fake it better-your phone was still playing the short video!

I was speechless but also very touched. Howard was helping me this time, not knowing about Tom's doing initially. Moreover, he didn't care about Tom's warning, clearly taking a risk.

"What if I'm not acting as a legal professional?" I said calmly, looking coldly at Tom.

"What do you mean?" Tom asked.

"Today, I'm asking you as a family member of the victim," I replied.