Daisy snorted. “Who told you that? Mom?”
Kieran blushed furiously before shoving her back to her seat. As the baby of the family, Kieran was coddled and given opportunities the rest of us weren’t granted, such as taking a gap year or two or three to fuck around with Ronan. My jealousy was at an all-time high when I received pictures of him partying on Uncle Ant’s yacht without a care in the world while I was restructuring Baker Personal Injury & Law and working my ass off.
To be fair, I could’ve taken a gap year if I asked—maybe. But I didn’t think that was an option for me. The quicker I passed the bar, the quicker Dad could retire—at least, that was how I saw it. I didn’t want him working into his sixties. Nepo baby or not, he worked tirelessly to build his legacy, and as the eldest, it was up to me to carry the torch into the next generation.
I tuned everyone out and recalled receiving my Welcome-to-the-Firm watch from Dad. It was a Rolex—more perfect and meaningful than the watches I gave my siblings because, unlike theirs, mine wasn’t purchased from a department store. Mine was passed down from our great-grandfather. It was a true family heirloom and rite of passage that I hoped to pass to my son someday.
If I ever have the time to make one.
Mom made it her mission to remind me that I’d have the time if I made the time. She also told me that I needed to delegate to my siblings more, but looking around the table, there wasn’t a single one I trusted to take on more than I gave them. And it wasn’t because they weren’t capable—they’re all adept attorneys—even the mama’s boy who thought a little differently.
I was the aggressive, no-holds-bar type who didn’t try to weasel out of trying a case in a court of law. I hated settling, but most of my clients had suffered enough and preferred taking the settlement for financial reasons. Casey was the sweet-talking charmer. He had a way of working the jury that’d make you swear he was the devil in disguise. Daisy was “The Wolf.” If you’re hiding something from her, she will sniff it and destroy you for wasting her time. Last but not least, there was Kieran, the Pro Bono King. He loved taking on the pro bono cases because he received a hefty paycheck whether he won or lost. For every case won at BPIL, five percent was withheld for the attorney working pro bono. If my cut was $2 million, then the miser pocketed $100k. It was fair enough as long as he kept a ten-case minimum.
In my head, our family law firm would crash and burn if I relaxed for just a moment.
It’s me. I’m the problem because I’m a control freak with a Type A personality who has difficulty letting go. It’s why I still have a tiny glimmer of hope that she’ll get tired of her you-only-live-once lifestyle and stick around. And maybe…just maybe…we’ll try again. God, I’m so fucking pathetic.
“Grant?”
“Yes, sir?” I asked, rejoining the conversation.
“Is there something you’d like to say to Daisy about her statement?”
I cleared my throat and adjusted my tie. “Daisy, Kieran thinks differently, and that’s why he’s an asset—”
“Never mind,” Dad voiced, waving me off before facing Daisy. “Listen, Popeye—”
I tucked my chin and chuckled softly as my brothers started ragging on Daisy and giving Dad props for his burn.
“Oh, yeah. Laugh it up, you guys. I’m going to make an anonymous tip to the paper that Baker Personal Injury & Law doesn’t take domestic violence seriously,” Daisy proclaimed.
“The paper? Okay, Grandma,” Kieran joked.
“We’ll add ageism, too, while I’m at it.”
“Way to sink your own business,” Casey reminded, throwing a red coffee stirrer at her.
“You’re not squeaky clean yourself, Flower Power. Did you forget that you stole a disabled woman’s hearing aids?” Kieran reminded her.
“You’re literally a shit bag,” Casey joked.
“Enough!” Dad bellowed, silencing the room. “We’ve had our fun. Let’s get down to business. Daisy—two things, sweetheart. Your mother and I shelled out quite a bit of money on the wedding of your dreams because that asshole determined you were the bride because his daughter was more masculine, sticking us with the bill. If this wedding doesn’t happen because the two of you can’t get it together, then you’re repaying me from your trust.” She opened her mouth to argue when he shut her down with a stern glare and a frown. She thought better of it and resigned herself to remaining silent. “Second, your commentregarding your client lacked the basic empathy required to be an attorney here at Baker Personal Injury & Law. If I were still here, your cases would’ve been divided amongst your siblings, and you’d be taking on pro bono without a stipend until your attitude adjusted. But as they say, not my monkey, not my show.” He finished his statement, and his eyes flicked towards me before landing back on her.
Sorry, Daisy, but you’re on grunt work as soon as you return from your honeymoon.
“Now…tell me a case that you won that’ll lift my spirits and remind me that you’re one of the best attorneys of your generation.”
Daisy smiled softly before telling him about the win she pulled out of her ass when her client sued a restaurant for the death of her daughter, who died of anaphylactic shock due to a peanut allergy. The restaurant insisted they were peanut-free and claimed they weren’t at fault. Daisy pored over the camera footage until something caught her eye…a candy bar wrapper in the trash can. The chef had eaten the chocolate-and-peanut treat during his break and didn’t wash his hands upon his return. Daisy secured the client $8.2 million in damages for their pain and suffering. After contributing to the stipend, fees, taxes, and retirement, Daisy netted a sweet $1.8 million payday and deserved every cent of it.
“That’s amazing, Daisy. Thank you for going the extra mile for your client.”
“Er…thanks, Dad. It wasn’t that big of a deal,” she said, blushing from the praise.
“It was, and never downplay your success. Mmmm, who’s next? Casey, tell me about a case you lost and what you could’ve improved on.”
“It wasn’t my fault that I lost. The case had no chance of winning.”
Dad smirked and laced his fingers together. “Sixteen lawyers told your mother the same thing. Remember, there’s always room for improvement. Kieran, tell me something you’ve learned from Grant this year.”