Los Angeles Legendary Sleuth

Southern District, mediation room.

Daisy requested the second mediation.

The mediation was still conducted by the same African-American officer and the Asian female officer.

Daisy accompanied Val to the mediation, facing the robber Harbot Ross across the conference table.

The Asian officer said, "This is the second mediation, and I hope it can be resolved successfully this time instead of wasting everyone's time."

The robber Harbot Ross grinned, "I have great respect for both officers, and my time is precious, too. It all depends on their sincerity."

Daisy said, "Mr. Harbot Ross, since you claim to have sincerity, why don't you just sign the settlement agreement, and we can let bygones be bygones."

"Oh my god, am I hearing this right? You letting bygones be bygones?

I was the one who got hit, that bastard knocked me to the ground and then brutally beat me as he straddled me.

Do you think I'm a black slave from two hundred years ago?

No, I will fight for my rights. You're going to pay for that barbaric act," Harbot Ross said, his gaze turning towards the African-American officer,

"I'm not doing this just for myself, but so others won't suffer the same fate. This should not happen in the 21st century, absolutely not."

Val laughed, confident with the video evidence in hand, "Haha, what rubbish are you spouting?

With that tone, one might think you're a hero.

Bullshit!

You're a robber; you robbed a grocery store. That's a fact.

I'm the hero who stopped the robbery, not you."

Harbot Ross glared at Val, retaliating, "I confess I took some stuff from the store.

My family is in a tough situation; we needed those supplies. If I were as rich as Bill Gates, the hell I would rob a grocery store.

Plus, I've already been punished for that, paid the fine, and now we're discussing the case of your malicious beating.

You're a thug; you've committed assault with intent, and you should be in jail."

Val shook his head, "You're lying; I didn't beat you maliciously, I was acting in self-defense, you choked me first."

Harbot Ross pointed at Val, his face full of anger, "The liar is you, and I'm the victim."

Val was about to say something else but Daisy interrupted him, "Harbot Ross, I want to clarify once more, who initiated the physical confrontation?"

"It was the fat white guy sitting next to you."

"Are you certain you didn't choke my client first?"

"I did not."

"Now that's interesting." Daisy pulled out a small hard drive and addressed the female officer beside her, "Ma'am, we've found some new evidence that might assist in judging the case."

The Asian officer took the hard drive and plugged it into her laptop, watching the video with the African-American officer.

The African-American officer looked at Harbot Ross with a serious expression, "Hey, look into my eyes. Did you choke him first before he hit you?"

"No, I didn't," Harbot Ross was still defiant.

"What's this then?" The African-American officer turned the laptop around, showing Harbot Ross the video.

Harbot showed an annoyed expression, "Sorry, I must have remembered wrong.

But the fact he hit me is true. Perhaps he hit my head, and that's why I couldn't remember clearly."

Daisy countered, "You're lying. You adamantly claimed my client choked you. There is no 'not remembering clearly'. You're deliberately deceiving the officers, wasting their time and energy.

You're a despicable liar."

The African-American officer said, "Harbot Ross, the fight was your fault. I'm going to write you another ticket."

Harbot Ross looked aggrieved, "Why issue a ticket? I was the one who got hit.

I only choked him a little, then I didn't touch him again. It was purely a beating I received.

Look at the injuries on my face; they still hurt."

The African-American officer spoke with an unquestionable tone, "You've lied."

Daisy added, "You should be thankful this isn't in court, or it wouldn't be as simple as issuing a ticket."

Harbot Ross stood up, spreading his hands helplessly, "I'll pay the fine. If there's nothing else, I'll be leaving."

Daisy said, "Officers, I have another piece of evidence to submit."

Harbot Ross expressed dissatisfaction, "It's already over. I was the one who got beaten, what more do you want?"

Daisy presented some documents, "Harbot Ross, you're mistaken. It's not about this case.

It's about the case where you robbed the grocery store."

The Asian officer inquired, "What about that case?"

"We've discovered new leads. The value of the goods Harbot Ross stole from the grocery store isn't \\(940, but \\(1030, and he's committed a felony."

Harbot Ross scoffed, "You're lying. Lawyers are all liars.

I counted twice after grabbing the goods, and I'm absolutely certain it did not exceed \\(940."

Daisy took out two high-resolution photos, "The officers might want to look at these. One is a photo of Harbot Ross before the robbery, the other one after the robbery.

Besides the items in the shopping cart, Harbot Ross also stole a pair of shoes, which he wore directly on his feet.

With those shoes, the stolen items add up exactly to \\(1030."

After hearing this, Harbot covered his forehead with his right hand, "Oh my god..."

The officers compared the photos and reviewed the surveillance footage again.

Then the African-American officer stood up, took out a pair of handcuffs, "Harbot Ross, you're under arrest for the grocery store robbery. You have the right to remain silent..."

Harbot Ross looked panicked, standing and retreating backward, "No no no, listen to me, I didn't mean to do it, I forgot about the shoes, I really forgot..."

"That's no excuse for robbery, better explain it to the judge," the African-American officer said, and then handcuffed Harbot Ross.

Val clapped his hands, "Congratulations, you'll be enjoying some pleasant time in prison.

Plus, beating you felt great."

...

The surveillance video proved Val's innocence.

Val was released without charges, and his bail was returned.

Robert was so pleased he invited everyone to dine together that evening.

Daisy was included in the invitation.

Daisy, who was always decisive and spoke eloquently with clear logic in court, hesitated this time.

Perhaps it was because of her family background, she did not like this kind of occasion.

She had not decided whether to attend or not until Luke picked her up under the law firm.

Daisy sat in the front passenger seat of the Mercedes, "Luke, can I skip the party? I might not really enjoy this sort of thing."

Luke shrugged, "If it were any other time, I would respect your opinion, but this party is actually for you and Val.

Everyone is really thankful for your help.

If I drive there alone, Robert might not even let me in the door."

"OK, but I might not stay very long."

Perhaps because of Luke, Daisy eventually agreed.

"That's fine, it's great that you can come."

...

Half an hour later.

Luke and Daisy arrived at the Robert family's place.

On the way, Daisy bought a bottle of red wine as a gift.

By then, Luke's family had already arrived.

The chubby boy looked curiously at the car; he had wanted to bring his girlfriend, Maggie, along, but his mother stopped him.

Luke and Daisy got out of the car, and everyone warmly gathered around.

Robert said with a smile, "Daisy, I'm so glad you could join us tonight."

"Thank you for the invitation; this is a gift for you."

Robert took it and said with a laugh, "Wow, I like this brand of red wine, thank you."

Linda came over, looking Daisy over, "You look beautiful today, I really like your earrings."

"Really? Thank you, I just bought them."

Val also came over, "Welcome, Daisy, you're the best lawyer I've met.

The thought of that robber being sent to prison excites me even now.

I am truly grateful to you."

Before Daisy could respond, the chubby boy came over, "Hi, Daisy, I'm Jack, Luke's brother.

Nice to meet you, you're the prettiest lawyer I've ever seen."

Daisy smiled, "Thank you, you have good taste, handsome young man."

Luke clapped his hands, "OK, now that everyone's acquainted, let's have a good drink to celebrate Val's freedom."

"Cheers!"

The party officially began, Robert was in charge of the barbecue, and people drank and chatted.

Seeing Val regain his reputation and freedom made Robert the happiest of all.

Many critics say that American parents throw their kids out when they turn eighteen, purely to mislead and belittle young people in our country.

American parents are really not that different from parents in our country.

Some parents will interfere in their children's lives just the same.

"As long as I'm alive, you have to listen to me." Can you believe these were the words a white woman said to her daughter?

In today's society, parents in our country probably wouldn't dare say this to their children.

20 minutes later.

Daisy received an urgent call from the law firm that required her to handle a situation.

She said her goodbyes and left the party early.

Luke drove her.

In a black Mercedes G500, the atmosphere was a bit silent.

After a while, Daisy slowly said, "Sorry, I didn't mean to ruin the mood of the party."

Luke comforted her, "Don't say that, it's not your fault."

Daisy paused for a moment, pursed her lips, "Luke, your family is very nice.

I could feel their warmth, but...

I only like you.

I don't like being too involved in someone else's family, nor do I want too deep an interaction with their family members."

Luke nodded, "I understand what you mean."

Daisy sighed lightly, her gaze somewhat vacant as she looked forward, "I know my approach isn't the best, but I just want to live my life in my own way.

To keep it simple."

Luke asked, "Daisy, have you ever thought about marriage?

Of course, I'm not talking about now, I just mean whether you plan on getting married in the future?"

Daisy was silent for a moment, "We've known each other this long, and it seems like the first time we're discussing this topic.

To be honest, I... haven't made up my mind yet."

Luke changed his approach, "Have you ever thought about starting a new family?"

At the mention of "family," Daisy instinctively furrowed her brow and said with some resistance, "No, I don't want that."

Luke didn't say anything more; in the past, he might not have understood.

After interacting with Daisy's father, he began to understand the emotional scars Daisy carries, ones difficult to heal.

Daisy was abandoned by her father as a child, living only with her mother. To her, family wasn't synonymous with warmth and happiness,

but rather a tragic memory of youth.

Luke held Daisy's hand, saying nothing more, understanding that relationships require mutual comprehension.

He had no right to insist that Daisy integrate into his family life.

As a second-generation Luke, he took a more detached view toward relationships.

Men his age typically prioritize their careers.

As for relationships, it's better to let them take their own course.