Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Luke looked over the other party, "You look quite well this time."

"The police dropped the charges and proved me innocent, so I'm much more relaxed. As for the civil lawsuit... I've got plenty of money."

Daisy said, "Then the issue is simple, just pay a large sum in compensation; there's no need to involve Luke."

"nonono, I have money, but I don't want to give it to that woman, it would make me feel suffocated.

Moreover, if I compromise this time, others will think I'm easy to bully.

Similar incidents might occur again, so, I must strike back hard and make sure she doesn't get a cent."

Daisy shook her head, "That's unrealistic."

"I know, that's why I hired you." Danny Carter made a welcoming gesture, signaling Luke and Daisy to sit down.

Luke asked, "Danny, tell us your thoughts, see what I can do?"

"OK, I'll get straight to it.

My compensation bottom line is one million US dollars, the rest is up to you to negotiate.

If the compensation amount exceeds one million, I won't pay a penny in commission.

If the compensation amount is less than one million, I'll take fifty percent of the savings, and the other fifty percent is yours.

What do you think about this idea?" Danny Carter looked at Luke, then turned to Daisy.

Luke smiled, "Are you motivating us?"

"Of course, we thrive on skill.

The lower the compensation, the smaller my loss, and the more the two of you earn.

I think it's quite fair."

Luke and Daisy exchanged a glance and said, "OK, I have no problem."

Daisy said, "I'll draft a new employment agreement."

...

After leaving the hotel, Luke and Daisy sat in the car discussing the case.

Luke looked at Daisy beside him, and since the settlement would ultimately be negotiated by a lawyer, and Luke didn't have such experience, he asked, "What's your plan?"

Daisy said, "Billie Worry has filed a civil lawsuit against Danny Carter in civil court, accusing him of intentional harm, illegal restraint, and sexual assault.

The criteria for civil compensation are looser than those of a criminal lawsuit. Even if there is no solid evidence but the jury believes Danny Carter had the fault and criminal intent, they might still decide on compensation.

Most crucially, the case might involve a public hearing, and that could be most damaging to Danny Carter.

So, we'll settle before that happens.

To have the upper hand in the settlement, we need to find clues that favor Danny Carter and ones that are detrimental to Billie Worry.

Make Billie Worry realize that she cannot win, thus lowering her expectation of the settlement amount."

Luke said, "You just mentioned that what Danny Carter is really worried about is not the outcome of the trial, but the public hearing.

Does winning or losing still matter?"

Daisy replied, "We know what Danny Carter is thinking and his bottom line, but Billie Worry doesn't.

Billie Worry, after calling the police, saw that Danny faced possible severe criminal penalties, yet she missed the opportunity to settle.

From what we see now, Danny Carter's action was correct, it gives the impression of being uncompromising.

So, Billie Worry can't be sure about Danny Carter's determination to settle.

Neither can she be sure whether Danny Carter would compromise because of the public hearing.

Actually, the upper hand is still in our hands, Billie Worry also fears that Danny Carter could be stubborn again.

What if they don't settle and she loses the civil suit, she wouldn't get a penny."

Daisy continued, "So, what we need to do now is find positive information for Danny Carter and gather negative information about Billie Worry.

Then use the asymmetry of the information to hit her expectations for the compensation amount."

"Do you think Billie Worry's affair counts?"

"Of course, in a criminal lawsuit this might not count as evidence, but it's important in a civil lawsuit.

It indirectly shows that Billie Worry's relationship with her boyfriend isn't as good as she described.

Additionally, it demonstrates that her character is questionable, she's not serious about relationships, and is rather casual and open.

The jury would be more inclined to believe Danny Carter is faultless."

Daisy countered, "Can you get concrete evidence of her affair?"

"I can try."

Luke took out his phone and made a call, "Hello, Quentin Hargis? It's me."

Quentin Hargis was the person who had stolen Danny Carter's sports car.

He was friends with Billie Worry's boyfriend but had secretly hooked up with Billie Worry. That night, while her boyfriend was on the night shift, he secretly went to Billie Worry's doorstep and happened to see Danny Carter drive Billie Worry home, and the two entered her house together.

Quentin Hagsk, in a fit of anger, stole Danny Carter's sports car. The dashcam in the car recorded a video that could help clear Danny Carter of his charges. So, Luke found him and taught him a lesson.

Quentin Hagsk retorted, "Who are you?"

Luke laughed, "You can't recognize my voice so soon?"

"Fuck, are you that asshole who pointed a gun at me and then blindsided me?

You even dare to call!

I @#￥%..." Quentin burst into a tirade of foul language.

"Hey, last time we met, you were quite well-behaved. How come you've become so irritable all of a sudden?"

Quentin fumed, "If you hadn't been pointing that damn gun at me, I would have killed you long ago."

"I knew you weren't convinced."

"That's right, I don't accept you. If you're capable, fight me fair and square. I'll make you regret being born into this world."

"OK, then I'll name a place, and we can spar again.

Consider it another chance for you to seek revenge?"

"Are you serious?"

"Are you scared?"

"Trash, I can't wait to beat you to a pulp right now."

"Then I'll name a place and we'll meet up to talk."

"No, that's not fair. Why should you name the place?

I'll name the place, you set the time.

One-on-one."

"Tonight at nine."

"Saritch Street and the east side of Borne Street. Don't be late."

"This time, no welching if you lose."

"You're going to lose for sure," Quentin Hagsk gasped, clearly determined to vent his rage and regain his reputation.

...

8:40 PM.

Saritch Street and the east side of Borne Street.

A black sedan slowly pulled over, and the occupants did not immediately get out.

After a while, two black men approached, talking and laughing.

The door of the black sedan opened, and Quentin Hagsk stepped out, greeted the two black men, and exchanged fist bumps.

"Hey, brother, thanks for coming."

A black man with a gold chain asked, "Quentin, who did you piss off?"

"Just some nobody."

The other black man, wearing a lip ring, said, "If it's just a nobody, why call us for help?"

Quentin Hagsk smiled, "That kid is a white pig. Looks like a punching bag already. I just called you guys to have some fun, beat him up, then hit the bar for a drink."

"Heh, sounds cool," the man with the gold chain said.

Quentin Hagsk asked, "Did you guys bring your tools?"

"Of course."

"Good, you guys hide in the car for now so he doesn't get scared off.

When he gets close, we'll give him a little surprise."

"Haha, great idea. I love beating up white pigs," the man with the lip ring said, laughing exaggeratedly.

Then, the two black men who came to help hid back in the car.

Quentin Hagsk flashed a cold smile, "You asshole, you dared to torment me, now you're definitely going to die.

I won't let you off this time."

Last time, he had been dealt with by Luke and felt both fear and hatred.

He knew Luke was a tough character.

But as time passed, the hate gradually overwhelmed the fear, and today Luke's phone call had unleashed all the pent-up rage.

He decided to teach Luke a lesson and vent his anger.

At the same time, remembering the 'water torture' Luke had used on him last time, he felt lingering fear, which is why he brought two underlings for help.

Looking at the two underlings in the car, Quentin Hagsk's face showed a ruthless expression,

"Come on, asshole, come and die!"