NovelOLX Chapter 289: Richard Hale
Chapter 289: Richard Hale
The following evening, Damian sat alone on the outdoor terrace of his Chicago mansion overlooking the garden. The city lights stretched endlessly across the horizon while cool winds rolled across the water below.
A cigar rested between his fingers as several folders floated lazily around him, opening and closing on their own as he reviewed reports from his various organizations. The silence was peaceful, broken only by the distant sounds of the city and the occasional crackle of purple embers falling from the tip of his cigar.
A soft chime echoed through the estate.
Someone had arrived.
Damian didn’t look up immediately. Instead, he casually flipped another page.
"He’s here," Loth’s voice sounded in his head.
"Let him in."
Several minutes later, slow footsteps approached from behind.
Damian finally glanced over his shoulder.
The man approaching looked to be in his late sixties. Silver hair was neatly combed back. His expensive charcoal suit probably cost more than most people’s annual salary. His posture remained straight despite his age and his eyes carried the calm confidence of someone who had spent decades sitting across negotiating tables while lesser men folded under pressure.
Richard Hale, patriarch of the Hale family and founder of Blacksheep Firm.
Victor Hale’s father.
The old man paused several feet away and studied Damian quietly.
For a brief moment neither spoke, the silence itself felt strange.
Years ago Damian would have been nervous standing before this man. Back then Richard Hale had represented everything Damian wanted to become.
Now the situation felt almost absurd.
Richard finally smiled.
"Damian Hill, I can’t remember how many times I spoke that name this year alone. You’ve done well for yourself."
Damian’s double promotions this year were approved by this man. He could remember warning Victor to do anything possible to keep Damian in the company and that little bastard failed woefully.
Now the dog he let out of the leash has come back to bite him.
"I have." Damian exhaled smoke slowly.
The old man nodded before taking the empty seat opposite him. No permission was requested or given. Both men understood this conversation would not be a friendly one so there was no need to act polite.
For several moments Richard simply observed him, then he sighed.
"You know, when Victor first recommended hiring you two years ago, I almost rejected the suggestion." Richard began.
Damian raised a brow.
"Really?"
"You lacked pedigree." Richard chuckled lightly. "No elite law school. No influential family. No political connections."
He leaned back.
"You were just talented."
To a man like Richard Hale, that genuinely sounded like a flaw.
The old man continued.
"Victor saw something in you."
Damian remained silent. Even Richard knew that was a lie, Victor had never seen anything in him. He barely acknowledged his existence until Damian became impossible to ignore.
Still, Damian allowed the old man to continue.
"Yet here we are." Richard spread his hands slightly. "The most famous judge in America and legal representative of one of the fastest growing religious organizations in the world. A man with influence that politicians envy."
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"Life is funny."
Damian nodded in agreement. "It is."
The old man stared at him for several seconds. Then he finally got to the point.
"My son made a terrible mistake."
The words sounded genuine and that surprised Damian slightly. Richard wasn’t denying the crime or making excuses.
"My son deserves punishment. But he does not deserve destruction." Richard folded his hands.
There it was, the real argument.
"He killed a man." Damian’s voice remained calm and he didn’t even bother looking up.
Richard nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"He crippled a child."
Richard gave another nod.
"Yes."
"He tried to suppress the investigation."
The old man’s expression tightened.
"Yes."
Damian tapped ash into a crystal tray.
"Then what exactly are we discussing?"
Richard’s jaw clenched slightly. The old man had likely spent decades controlling every conversation he entered.
For perhaps the first time in his life, he realized he was not controlling this one.
"My son can still contribute to society."
Damian almost rolled his eyes.
Of course.
The wealthy always became useful after getting caught while the poor simply became criminals.
Damian chuckled. "Interesting."
The old man frowned.
"What is?"
Damian leaned forward slightly.
"You know what Ethan Morales was doing before Victor killed him?"
Richard didn’t answer so Damian decided to help him out.
"He was helping people." Damian continued. " Do you know what Sophia Morales was doing?"
The old man’s expression darkened but there was still no answer.
"Teaching children."
The silence grew heavier.
"And Emily?" Damian’s eyes remained locked onto Richard’s. "What future was she building before Victor decided driving drunk was more important?"
The old man finally looked away.
For the first time since arriving, he appeared uncomfortable.
Damian noticed immediately. With his predatory instincts he could tell what this man felt was not guilt. The old man was trying to find another angle for a better argument.
Richard slowly exhaled.
"What do you want?"
That question finally made Damian smile.
"There it is."
The old man’s eyes narrowed.
"You have something you want?"
"Are you trying to bribe a man of God?" Damian shook his head.
Richard stared at him as the atmosphere shifted. The old man instantly knew the polite conversation ended.
Now they were finally speaking honestly.
"I would never!"
The old man’s voice hardened slightly but the nevourness in his tone did not escape Damian’s notice.
Damian laughed.
"You flew from New York to Chicago at nine o’clock at night to discuss a criminal case involving your son." His smile widened. "If not a bribe, then what exactly should I call this meeting?"
Richard didn’t answer because there was no answer. The old man slowly rose to his feet.
"I built Blacksheep Firm."
His voice carried quiet authority and disdain.
"I have friends in every level of government."
Damian took another drag from his cigar.
"I know."
"I have judges who owe me favors."
"I know."
"I have senators who answer my calls."
"I know."
Richard’s eyes narrowed.
"And despite all of that, You still chose to come personally." Damian’s smile slowly disappeared.
Richard genuinely believed he was showing respect. The patriarch of the Hale family had come in person because he considered Damian important enough to deserve it.
Richard stared at him for several long moments before speaking again.
"Victor isn’t me."
His voice had softened slightly.
"He isn’t as strong as people think."
For the first time all night, Damian sensed genuine emotion. Not manipulation, just a father trying to save his son.
However, Damian didn’t find this surprising. Richard has always loved Victor, despite being born out of wedlock and rejected by the entire family. He still made the boy a big shot in Chicago and has covered up his mistakes several times.
"He’ll break in prison."
Damian remained silent and Richard continued.
"You were once part of my firm. I’m asking you to show mercy."
His eyes carried a trace of exhaustion now.
The old man had finally abandoned influence. Damian stared at him quietly for a moment and then he slowly stood.
Both men now faced each other beneath the moonlight. Damian wasn’t moved. A good father does not equate to a good person.
Richard Hale was the definition of a good father but was far from a good person. If not he wouldnt come here, requesting the man who ruined a little girls life be pardoned
"I’ll give Victor exactly what he deserves." Damian said plainly.
Richard searched his face but Damian’s expression remained unreadable.
The old man slowly nodded. Not because he was satisfied but because he finally understood this conversation had been lost before it began.
"Then be prepared to fight a man willing to go any lengths to protect his son." Richard said calmly.
Without another word, the old man turned and walked away. Damian watched him disappear into the distance.
Only after several minutes did Loth return.
"Shall I get rid of him?"
Damian chuckled and looked toward the city.
"No." His eyes gleamed with amusement.
Now the diplomatic attempt has failed, he expects the pressure to start mounting from all sides.
"Now the real visitors will start pouring in. This should be fun."