Page 12 of The Oath Operation

"Let me open the door for you, Jules."

"That's not necessary."

"Of course it is. I was raised a gentleman."

And so Jules waited, even though she could open her door perfectly fine by herself. She waited again when Fish stepped in front of her to open the door to the law office. Then one more time as he opened the inner door that lead to her cousin's suite. While she waited, she realized she didn't know much about her husband-to-be's background.

She knew he was Asian, like her. Jacqui had mentioned he was originally from Korea and had been adopted. That was all either of them knew about his parentage. Now Jules wondered about the people who raised the gentleman who was offering her their name to help her achieve her dreams.

As she and Fish stepped into the cozy reception area, Jules was surprised to see her sister and Noah sitting together, deep in conversation with Birdy. Well, Jacqui was in deep conversation with Birdy. Meanwhile, Noah was having an argument with Birdy's parrot.

"So your name's not Polly. Is it Pirate?"

"Objection, your honor," screeched the parrot.

Jules' grandmother, Nãinai, sat in Birdy's chair behind her desk, her elegant posture radiating calm as she reviewed some paperwork. Despite her seventy years, she looked remarkably youthful, her skin still smooth and her eyes sharp and intelligent. Her presence exuded a quiet strength and grace, the kind that only comes with age and wisdom.

Birdy, dressed in a smart suit that highlighted her professional demeanor, stood beside the desk. Her dark hair was pulled back into a neat, professional bun, accentuating her sharp features and no-nonsense attitude. The young lawyer was all confidence and competence, a perfect complement to the elegant calm of her grandmother.

Bunny, Birdy’s half-sister, was also there, leaning against the desk with a more relaxed posture. Her dark hair and caramel skin made her stand out, a striking contrast to Birdy’s more polished appearance. Bunny’s expression was animated as she argued with their grandmother over the paperwork spread across the massive desk, her eyes flashing with determination.

"Come on," hedged Noah. "If you tell me, I'll give you a cracker."

"Sign on the dotted line."

"Wait? Is that a deal?"

Birdy looked over to Noah with an annoyed scrunch of her nose and caught sight of Jules standing in the doorway. She opened her hands, indicating the crowd gathered in her office, and gave Jules a helpless shrug.

Jules was about to turn around and rush Fish out of the office and away from her nosy family when her sister caught sight of her. Not because the Chou women couldn't keep a secret. Because the Chou women would try to take over the whole operation.

"Jules, what are you doing here? And…Fish?"

Jules ran her hand down the front of her skirt, trying to project calm and cool. Her family could smell fear. "Uh, we have an appointment with Birdy."

"We?" asked Bunny, tilting her head to the side in more of a bird-like motion.

"We’re just finishing up here." Birdy moved toward the door. She was the only one doing so. The rest of their family held their positions, their gazes never shifting off Jules and Fish. Well, except Noah, who was still waiting for the parrot to give up her name.

"What's this appointment about?" asked Nãinai.

"It's private," said Jules. "Lawyer client confidentiality."

"Who's the client?" asked Jacqui. "You? Or you and Fish?"

"Wait a minute," said Bunny. "I saw a prenup draft on Birdy's desk when I came in."

"Are you two…?" Jacqui pointed between them.

"What about Dr. Mensah?" asked Nãinai.

"Did you finally come to your senses and dump the doctor?" said Bunny.

"Hey," said Jules. "You said you liked him."

"I said it sarcastically," said Bunny. "Now I can say it truthfully. I do not like him."

"Me neither," said Jacqui. "He was so bossy."

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