Urban Plundering: I Corrupted The System!

The sunlight poured through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxury hotel restaurant, making the marble tabletop practically glow. Ava sat across from Parker, tablet propped up against her coffee cup, flipping through contracts while he worked on a plate of eggs Benedict like he hadn't just dropped life-changing money the night before.

Ere, perched comfortably on his lap, had upgraded from smug to downright regal, tail curling every so often as if to remind everyone she owned this space.

"So," Parker spoke up, voice casual but sharp, "what's the verdict on me owning a law firm?"

Ava looked up, lips pressing into a thin line. "You're really not letting that go, huh?"

Parker just raised a brow. "I don't half-ass things. Hit me with it."

Sighing, Ava set her tablet down and folded her hands, lawyer mode fully engaged. "Okay, so here's the deal. Like I said yesterday—you can't outright own a law firm in the traditional sense. Most law firms are partnerships, not something you can just buy like a yacht." She paused. "Though, knowing you, you'd probably try that too."

"Already planning on that." Parker shrugged, sipping his orange juice like he hadn't just flexed wealth again.

Ava blinked, then shook her head. "Anyway—there are two options. The first? You buy into a firm as a partner. I've looked into us—Summit & Wolfe. Solid reputation, aggressive litigation team, and they're one of the few big firms that might consider outside funding. But you wouldn't own it outright. You'd just be... a silent investor."

Parker frowned, clearly unimpressed. "Yeah, I like to do 'silent.'"

Ava nodded like she'd expected that. "The second option's trickier but gives you way more control. Start your own firm. Technically, you can't own it yourself because you're not a licensed attorney and—well—seventeen." She gave him a pointed look. "But there's a workaround."

Parker leaned in, interest piqued. "Go on."

Ava folded her arms. "You could sponsor an attorney. Fund them completely. Say, someone like me—"

Parker raised a brow, smirking. "Oh? Volunteering, Klein?"

She ignored him. "Hypothetically. If you funded an attorney, they could establish the firm under their name, while you hold a private control agreement behind the scenes. I'd be the legal face. You'd call the shots from behind the curtain."

Parker's grin widened. "So... you'd be my front?" Experience new stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Ava rolled her eyes. "Technically, yes. But legally speaking, I'd be the sole managing partner on paper. You'd get creative control through a private contract." She hesitated. "It's... unconventional. And it could raise questions if you're too obvious about it."

Parker just sat back, clearly unfazed. "Good thing subtlety's my middle name."

Ere let out a loud, unhelpful mrrrow of pure sarcasm.

Setting the cup down with a quiet clink. "You see, I've thought about your… crazy idea since yesterday. And the second option of buying a law firm outright? Not your smartest play."

Parker raised an eyebrow, lips twitching. "Why not? I've got the money."

Ava exhaled, leaning forward. "That's not the point. Look, you're already working with Summit & Wolfe. We're not some rinky-dink local practice—we're one of the biggest firms in the country, with international ties. If you're serious about influence, the smarter move is leveraging that. You don't need to start from scratch when you can have a hand in something…already powerful."

Parker's eyes narrowed slightly. "Keep talking."

Ava smirked. "I'm saying—fund me."

His head tilted. "Huh!"

"You back me financially. Quietly. I'll buy a partnership stake in Summit & Wolfe with your capital. On paper, it'll be my investment. I become a partner with a seat at the table. But behind closed doors?" She gave a meaningful look. "I answer to you. Full control, full influence—without you being in the spotlight. Total subtlety. You want power, not attention."

Parker stared at her, letting the idea sink in. His fingers drummed lightly on the table.

"So," he said slowly, "I'd have a face. A face I control from the shadows."

"Exactly," Ava nodded. "It's clean. Legal. And you avoid all the headaches of trying to run a firm yourself. Plus, I'm already inside the system. Less resistance that way."

Silence stretched for a beat. Then Parker nodded once, sharp and decisive.

"Option one, then. You're already my lawyer, so it makes sense. Draw up the contracts. I want it airtight."

Ava blinked, almost spilling her coffee. "Wait. You're just… deciding? No questions? No second thoughts?"

Parker tilted his head, smirking. "I did hire you for this, didn't I? Why overcomplicate it?"

Ava sat back, lips pressing into a thin line as she processed how easily he made decisions. Finally, she muttered under her breath, "The kid's fucking insane."

Parker grinned, tossing his napkin onto the table. "Yeah, but you like it. Now, finish your coffee. We've got a law firm to buy."

Ere, stretched across his lap like a queen on her throne, let out a perfectly timed purr of approval, eyes half-lidded with smugness.

Ava? She just shook her head.

The kid really was something else.

Ava leaned back in her chair, setting her coffee down carefully before meeting Parker's eyes.

"Okay, listen up. If we're doing this—and I mean really doing this—we have to be smart about it. No half-measures. No 'oops, I forgot to cover that' crap when we're dealing with an empire-level law firm." She exhaled, clearly switching into full lawyer mode. "So here's how it'll work."

She held up a finger, voice calm but firm.

"First thing—the deal itself. You'll fund me. Quietly. I'll use your capital to buy into Summit & Wolfe as a partner. Since I'm already part of the firm, it won't raise eyebrows. Makes it cleaner than trying to plant a whole new firm from scratch, which would take years and a hell of a lot more work."

Parker gave a slight nod, so she continued.

"Now, ownership and control." Ava tapped the table gently for emphasis. "On paper, I'll own the stake—my name, my face, my public rep. But the second you fund this, we're drafting an agreement that locks me into operating under your direction. Any major votes? Firm policies? Big decisions? You call the shots from the shadows. Period. Full stop."

She arched a brow. "Still with me?"

Parker smirked. "You had me at full control."

"Good." Ava's lips quirked, but her tone stayed sharp. "Now, about the money flow. It's gotta stay clean. We'll use a private holding company—something you already have, I assume?"

Private Holding Company?!