Seven
“Istrongly discourageyou from doing anything without legal counsel.” These were the first words out of Fredericka’s mouth the moment Anneke answered her call.
“Noted. That said, please don’t let this issue bother you at all.” Anneke deliberately kept her tone breezy. “The woman is Marcus’ex-lover,‘ex’ being the operative. It would be childish of me to react to this article considering she’s already a thing of the past.”
“I couldn’t have said it better,” Fredericka agreed, “which is why I’d like you to promise me now that you willnotmake any move without consulting—-”
“Freddie.” Anneke’s tone was exasperated. “Didn’t I just saynotto let this bother you?”
“I’m your lawyer—-”
“And I’m your friend,” she shot back, “so can you please forget about the whole thing? You have a delicate pregnancy—-”
“I can handle this—-”
Realizing how pointless it was to argue with a hotshot attorney, she asked instead, “Could you put me on speakerphone, please?”
“Why?” Fredericka was suspicious.
“Please.”
“Oh, fine.” After a moment, Fredericka grumbled, “It’s done.”
“Great. Sergei?”
“Hello, Anneke,” the Russian billionaire responded pleasantly.
“First of all, I’m terribly sorry about this. I should never have answered her call.”
There was some squawking noise, but both Anneke and Sergei ignored this.
“You do not owe me any apology, Anneke. I know my woman well, and I’m certain she would’ve found a way to contact you regardless.”
Anneke grimaced. “That’s true.”
“I’m still here, you guys.” Fredericka was back to grumbling.
“She’s rather bullish in her efficiency as a lawyer,” Sergei commented.
“I totally agree.”