Law America, the Devil's Agent

Omir remained silent upon hearing this, but simply picked up the half-empty wine glass on the table and gently swirled it.

"Attorney Link, being overly meticulous is not a good habit."

Link returned the same smile, his tone neither too soft nor too hard:

Those who hope others won't be petty are often the most petty themselves.

Mr. Omir, this negotiation was initiated by you, not me.

Omir did not respond to that sentence.

He took a sip of his drink, put the glass back on the table, and gestured for him to continue.

Link continued:

The original conditions:

The withdrawal of the lawsuit, the apology, the compensation, and the assistance in the investigation will proceed as usual.

In addition, I have four other requirements.

Omir's brows slowly furrowed.

He leaned back in his chair, tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice, and spoke in a slightly lower voice than before:

"Attorney Link, I advise you to stop now."

The fact that I'm here to see you today doesn't mean we've lost.

If you want to keep playing, we have plenty of time.

Link ignored his warning and raised the first finger on his own.

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"First, my client, Mr. Nathaniel Hawthorne, after this incident was completely over."

Your company should not only issue a formal apology and provide full compensation, but also ensure that the patient is discharged from Philadelphia General Hospital unharmed.

I also need him to take up a job at another medical facility in Philadelphia.

In this process, I need you to use your connections to secure him a position that is better than his current deputy director position, along with corresponding academic resources and research conditions.

I believe this won't be difficult for that gentleman.

Omir was stunned.

He was prepared for Link to make an exorbitant demand:

More compensation, a larger public apology, and possibly even a requirement for him to publicly apologize to Link.

But Link's first condition was that Nathaniel Hawthorne leave Philadelphia General Hospital.

For the man behind him, this was not a loss, but rather a welcome opportunity.

If the whistleblower leaves the hospital voluntarily, it will be like removing a time bomb that could explode again at any moment.

He was puzzled, but showed no sign of it, simply nodding slowly:

"This matter...this matter is still worth considering."

"second."

Before he could finish digesting it, Link raised his second finger:

"I need you to fund the establishment of a foundation."

In addition to the compensation that Mr. Nathaniel and the other four victims are legally entitled to, you will provide a substantial amount of start-up capital.

The foundation was chaired by Nathaniel himself, who was responsible for its day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making.

Omir's gaze suddenly sharpened.

"foundation?

Attorney Link, the foundation's financial investment is no small amount.

From registration to auditing, from project establishment to compliance review, every step requires following a process.

"You're proposing to establish a foundation at this time..."

The foundation's tentative name is—

Link ignored his interruption and went straight to the name he had already thought of:

"Philadelphia Safe Medication Oversight and Medical Whistleblower Protection Foundation"

Its core function is to monitor the outflow and black market circulation of federally subsidized drugs in the Philadelphia area, while also providing legal aid, financial support, and personal protection to whistleblowers within the healthcare system.

Omir was silent for a moment, then smiled meaningfully.

You can trust our credibility.

The gentleman said he would follow the rules and wouldn't do anything else after the matter was over.

"Do you still want to put a protective charm on him?"

"Your...credit?"

Link repeated the word, his tone carrying an undisguised sarcasm:

"Forget it, Mr. Omir."

We're still enemies, after all; there's no need to say things you don't even believe yourself.

Yes, it really is a talisman.

Link had planned it all out from the beginning—

The massive traffic and public support that this press conference brought to Nathaniel will, like a tide, come and go quickly if it cannot be transformed into tangible institutional strength in a timely manner.

A temporary compliment can't put food on the table, and those who are elevated to godlike status by the media can be brought down by the same media outlets at any time.

But a foundation is different. A foundation chaired by the victim, with ample funds, clear legal authorization, and public oversight functions has teeth.

It can hire lawyers, file lawsuits, submit evidence to federal regulators, and drag anyone who tries to cover up the truth again into a protracted legal quagmire.

This is true protection.

"third."

Link raises his third finger:

"Regarding the Philadelphia General Hospital corruption network case that I will be filing in the Federal District Court for the District of Philadelphia."

For some of that man's subordinates, or more precisely, for some of that man's "burdens"...

I hope that your approach will go beyond simply providing witness testimonies and physical evidence.

"If necessary, I hope you will do a better job of cleaning."

"Wasn't the previous level enough?"

Omir frowned:

"Providing complete witness testimonies and physical evidence, cooperating with the investigation, and publicly dissecting the case—isn't that enough?"

Link smiled slightly but did not answer.

He simply took out a lighter and a cigarette from the inside pocket of his suit, put the cigarette in his mouth, lit it, and took a deep drag.

Then he pulled a clean white napkin from the table, held it between his fingers, and brought it to the flame of the lighter.

The edges of the napkin quickly curled, charred, and burned, with flames spreading along the surface, gradually engulfing it into ashes.

The grayish-white powder fell onto the porcelain plate and was dispersed by the gentle breeze from the air conditioner in the private room.

Omir saw all of this.

He didn't speak immediately, but just watched as the ashes were scattered and drifted on the porcelain plate by the wind.

Then he slowly reached into his pocket, pulled out a cigarette, took the lighter Link tossed to him, and lit it.

He took a deep breath, the smoke slowly escaping from his nostrils, and then threw the burning cigarette into the porcelain plate, where it landed in the center of the pile of ashes.

"I see. Attorney Link is of Chinese descent. It seems that ancient Eastern wisdom, such as eliminating problems at their root and preventing future troubles, has indeed had a profound influence on you."

His voice wasn't loud, but it carried a cold and heavy weight: "No problem."

On this matter, my resolve is just as firm as yours.

Those who act on their own initiative do not deserve to remain at that table.

Link nodded noncommittally.

Omir leaned back in his chair, flicked the ash from the cigarette between his fingers, and that meaningful smile reappeared on his face.

"Mr. Link's after-sales guarantee is really thoughtful."

Not only do they win lawsuits, but they also clearly consider the follow-up options and contingency plans for their clients.

Mr. Nathaniel must have spent a fortune on legal fees, right?

Link raised an eyebrow and smiled nonchalantly.

"It's just a mid-six-figure lawyer's fee."

Compared to the money, isn't the most valuable gain from this battle the opportunity to compete on the same stage with O'Mill, one of Philadelphia's top five law firms?

I'm really looking forward to this match.

"That's interesting."

Omir nodded slightly, a subtle, enigmatic light flashing in his blue eyes:

"Link, I'll remember you."

But those three things are all in the past—haven't you thought about yourself?

I think the fourth point should be coming soon.

Link stubbed out the cigarette on the edge of the porcelain plate and sat up straight again.

"fourth.

I have a friend on Kensington Street who recently started a consulting firm and has a project that needs $500,000 in start-up funding.

I imagine that small amount of money is just pocket change for that gentleman.

Omir didn't speak, but simply nodded slightly, signaling him to continue.

"in addition,"

Link tapped his fingers lightly twice on the table, as if adding a final bid at an auction:

"The Curtiss law firm will formally announce the establishment of a new Criminal Defense and Public Interest Litigation Department to the Philadelphia legal community after the Hawthorne case concludes."

I will be in charge of this new department, which will focus on cross-regional litigation in areas such as medical corruption, drug safety, and whistleblower protection.

I need that gentleman and you to use your connections in the Pennsylvania Bar and the Philadelphia legal community to help with the establishment of this department in future cases.

I don't think this request is excessive.

Upon hearing this, Omir fell silent.

Link's words may seem light and casual, but the promises and human relationships involved are a major challenge.

He neither immediately agreed nor refused.

He simply stood up and straightened the collar of his silver-gray suit.

"I will convey all your terms to that gentleman."

He said, "It's a pleasure to have this opportunity to speak with Attorney Link face-to-face today. I will respond to your terms as soon as possible."

Link stood up and shook hands with him.

"I'll wait for your news. But don't keep me waiting too long; Prosecutor Elena's time limit for filing a prosecution is very short."

……

Outside the restaurant.

Quinil was standing in the doorway, holding a glass of water, anxiously stirring the remaining ice at the bottom of the glass with a straw.

Kona leaned against a pillar in the restaurant's outer corridor, her arms crossed, her eyes scanning the street corner warily.

Benny and Celine stood beside her, waiting in silence.

An hour passed, and the two people inside still hadn't come out.

Finally, the restaurant door was pushed open from the inside.

Two figures walked out one after the other.

Link walked in front, with Omir following behind, both of them expressionless.

Quinnir's gaze immediately fell on Omir's hands.

That hand was holding an exquisite pocket watch—

That was a code he knew all too well from following Omir for many years.

If the pocket watch's cover were to be opened, it would mean that O'Malley judged the situation to be out of control and that the backup plan needed to be implemented. But the pocket watch's cover remained tightly closed.

He let out a long sigh, and his fingers involuntarily loosened.

But in that instant of relaxation, the glass of wine slipped from his fingers and shattered on the marble steps with a crisp sound.

The moment the sound of shattering rang out, several black figures flashed out almost simultaneously from the shadows across the street.

They were dressed in dark civilian clothes, their movements were clean and efficient, and the holsters on their waists flashed coldly under the streetlights.

Almost simultaneously, five or six burly figures surged out from the side corridor of the restaurant behind Kona and Benny—

The dark blue tactical jacket from Antion Corporation, with the company logo clearly visible on the chest in the night.

The two groups of people faced off briefly and tensely on the steps in front of the restaurant.

No one drew their gun, but no one retreated either.

Quinnir's face turned deathly pale.

He looked at Omir again, his superior staring at him with a gaze he had never seen before, a gaze so cold it was almost murderous.

Link stood on the steps, taking in the entire scene.

He glanced at the plainclothes officers across the street who hadn't yet disappeared back into the shadows, then at the shards of glass scattered on the steps and Quinil's deathly pale face.

Gradually, the corners of his mouth curved into a slightly playful arc.

"Smashing the cup as a signal, Mr. Omir?"

It seems you've learned some ancient Eastern wisdom.