While the celebration was tempered down as per Xander’s request, his father still invited close family and friends over to the mansion to have an intimate event to celebrate his son victory of those who meant to smear his good name. Xander’s legal team was also invited to the mansion as well, to thank them for a job well done keeping Xander out of trouble and prison at the same time. Russell was hesitant to even attend but did so out of duty to his new client whom he was more dedicated to protecting now than he even was before. To make things seem casual, Russell didn’t go solo to the event and allowed Mac to use his credit card to get something fancy so she could be his plus one. A decision that would be a wise choice to make given that his duties as Xander’s attorney were far from being over. As they strolled into the fancy mansion, the few guests that were already there provided more than enough cover for Russell to make a sleek exit and wander around to look for his potential target. As he was wandering the hallways, he bumped into Xander who was also trying to escape the attention he naturally didn’t want.

“Hey!” Xander said as he spotted his lawyer. “Nice to see a friendly face that I actually like around here!”

“It’s good to see you too, kid.” Russell said as he walked over and shook Xander’s hand. The young man didn’t let go and also pulled him in for a hug.

“You have no idea how grateful I am,” Xander said, as he was just so relieved.

Russell stood there for a moment, unsure if he should share the sensitive information that he recently discovered. His pause didn’t go unnoticed.

“What is it?” Xander asked him, “Is there something wrong?”

Russell stood there and continued to pause and then finally he let it out.

“Mac isn’t the kind of person to let things go,” Russell started to explain, “She doesn’t like to close a case until every little rock is overturned. It’s that kind of dedication that makes her one of the best.”

“I see,” Xander said, “What did she find?”

“Payoffs,” Russell answered, “Someone paid off the people who set you up. We found the middleman who made the payments, and he sang like a damn bird. He gave me everything I need to prove beyond all doubt who was behind this.”

“So, not only was I set up,” Xander summarized, “But someone paid the people to do it to me specifically?”

“Yes,” Russell confirmed, “And I know who did it.”

“Tell me,” Xander demanded, “I want to know who did this to me.”

“Are you sure about that?” Russell asked, “Once I give you all the details, there’s no going back. The fact that I know who did it means I can protect you from that person and wage the good fight behind closed doors while you run off and live happily live ever after with Lauren. You can live in ignorant bliss, and I’ll will make sure that turd pays for it and never does it again.”

“You’d do that for me?” Xander asked, as he was touched by the offer.

“This isn’t an easy answer,” Russell continued, “Once I tell you this, your world will never be the same. It will hurt that much.”

“I appreciate the gesture,” Xander said, “But I prefer to know who my enemies are so that I can defend myself from those who mean to do me harm.”

“Then follow me,” Russell said, gesturing to the hall. “That asshole we’re looking for is just a few doors down.”

“Excuse me?” Xander said, as he couldn’t believe it. “Lead the way.”

Russell and Xander walked down the hallway and then directly into the office of Xander’s father. His old man and his attorney were both in the den puffing on some cigars and celebrating in their own way. Both Alexander Senior and Jefferson both looked quite pleased when they saw Russell and Xander enter the room.

“Welcome, gentleman!” Xander’s father called out.

“Join the celebration!” Jefferson said, relaxing in a soft chair and with a glass of scotch in his hand.

“No thanks,” Russell replied, as he didn’t look impressed. “I’m just not in a celebrating mood tonight.”

“Excuse me?” Xander’s father said, as he noticed the anger in Russell’s voice.

Before anyone else in the room could say something, Russell wound up and slapped Xander father right in the face with an open hand, knocking the cigar right out of the old man’s mouth. The slap Russell gave his client’s father was so hard that he also knocked the old man to the ground.

“Russell!” Jefferson called out as he leapt out of his chair.

Russell was the closest person to the old man, so he helped Alexander Senior up back his feet and pointed a finger at Jefferson to stop his advance.

“Sit back down, Jefferson, right now.” Russell ordered.

“What the hell is the meaning of this!” Hopkins Senior roared with anger.

“You just couldn’t handle it, could you?” Russell said, “The fact that your own kid was not only kicking ass and taking names, but that his own empire was starting to challenge even yours in terms of success and wealth. You also had no control of the kid either, as he paid you back your ten million with interest. The fact that he was starting to look as good or even better than you in the business world must have been a direct hit to your fragile ego.”

“You’re being irrational, Mr. Benson,” The old man chided back.

“Am I?” Russell said, still seething. “I spoke to Cliff Brown earlier today. Not only did I find the man, but that smug bastard told me everything.”

“What the hell are you talking about?” Jefferson asked, just as confused as the old man Russell was yelling at. “Who the hell is Cliff Brown?”

“Do you want to tell them, or should I?” Russell asked the old man.

“Go to hell, Mr. Benson.” Xander’s father spat out.

“I’ll pass,” Russell said, smirking just a bit. “You’re not my client, so you don’t even have the authority to tell me what to take in my coffee.”

“Who the hell is Cliff Brown?” Xander asked, as he was eager to know more.

“He’s the bagman who paid off the people that set you up,” Russell answered, “And he was hired to set this whole thing up… by your father.”

“What?” Xander said, stunned beyond words.

“That can’t be true!” Jefferson said, also astonished to hear it.

“Oh, it is.” Russell replied, “And I have more than enough evidence to prove it.”

“Bullshit,” The old man said, “What proof do you have?”

“Video,” Russell said, smirking at the old man. “Brown recorded every conversation you had.”

“I can’t believe this,” Xander said, as he started to shake with anger. “You’re my father! How could you do this to me?”

“We wanted you in his debt,” Russell explained, “If he couldn’t control you with money, he decided to use favor to win you over instead. He was hoping that Jefferson would convince you to settle and pay to make things go away, and then you’d be back in pappa’s debt for bailing you out of this mess of his own making.”

“I swear Russell, I had no idea!” Jefferson started to beg, “I would never betray a client like that… I swear!”

“Save that for the bar association!” Xander yelled back.

“No,” Russell said, as he grabbed Xander’s arm. “Jefferson’s telling the truth. He had nothing to do with it.”

“How can you be so sure about that?” Xander’s father asked.

“That’s easy,” Russell answered, “All the proof I need came from that meeting when Xander fired him. Xander put Jefferson on the spot during that meeting concerning his innocence. Instead of giving a straight answer, Jefferson hesitated because he didn’t know what the answer was. If he had no idea what the truth was, that means he had no idea you were the one who set him up. Had Jefferson been in on it, he would have been able to shout Xander’s innocence from the rooftops without a shred of hesitation. Jefferson’s inability to answer the question proves that he didn’t know what was going on.”

“Mr. Benson,” Xander’s father started, almost growling, “I would like you to leave my residence at once.”

“That’s alright,” Xander said to his old man with just as much hostility, “We are all leaving right now.”

“Xander, hold on,” His father pleaded.

“No!” Xander called out, “This is the final straw. You and I are finished!”

“Grab Lauren and get out of here,” Russell suggested, “Take her back to your condo and stay there until you hear back from me.”

“I’m already gone,” Xander said, and he proceeded to walk right out.

The old man’s first instinct was to chase after his boy, but Russell shift to the side and intentionally blocked what would have been his exit to follow his son.

“I asked you to leave!” Xander’s father roared, “Get out of my way!”

“No, I don’t think I will.” Russell said, “And you’re going to listen to what I have to say, or this could be the beginning of a very bad week for you, Mr. Hopkins.”

“Are you threatening me?” The old man asked.

“Probably,” Russell answered, “I’m going to remind you that I have video of you paying off a man to commit a crime. The last time I checked, all my friends at the district attorney’s office would call that conspiracy to commit. I also have bean counters going over mountains of data from the New York Stock Exchange, looking for all trades that were made involving Xander’s company over the past few months. They're looking for any trades that were made in the days leading up to Xander’s arrest, specifically for shorts. I have a feeling once Xander fired Jefferson and hired me to fight these ridiculous charges in court, you saw an opportunity to make some quick cash by shorting Xander’s company. You were aware that his arrest and word of this charges would send the stock crashing, and boy were you right. The company took a dive and lost close to twenty percent! If my investigator finds a single short called in by you or any of your associates, I will personally notify the Securities and Exchange Commission about your illegal activity.”

“You smug son-of-a-bitch,” Mr. Hopkins said.

“Alexander!” Jefferson called out, as he finally stepped in between the two men. “As of this moment, I am advising you as your attorney to shut the hell up! This man is not your lawyer, which means anything you say can be used against you in a court of law. So, back away from the man and don’t say another friggin’ word!”

“Of course,” the old man said, “Thank you.”

“Russell,” Jefferson said, trying to use a civil tone, “My client has politely asked you to vacate the premises. Please respect his wishes and leave so that we don’t have to get security involved.”

“Alright,” Russell said, looking back at the old man, “You stay the hell away from Xander. As his attorney, I will be keeping a look out to make sure his interests are protected from future attacks by anyone… especially you.”

“Point taken Russell,” Jefferson replied, “Please leave.”

Russell was tempted to say something else and try to get the last word but wasn’t in the mood to deal with security, so he turned around and walked right out of the den into the hallway. As he strolled down the hallway towards the door, Mac was already there waiting for him with both Xander and Lauren.

“I have a limo waiting outside,” Russell called out, “Not one word until from anyone until we’re in there and the hell out of here.”

All four of them walked out the main door, and straight into the limo that Russell had waiting for them outside. Once they were in the car Xander looked back at his lawyer, and it was evident that the young man was still brewing with anger over the revelations that were just handed to him.

“You said you had video,” Xander said, “Let me see it.”

“Alright,” Russell said, as he took out his cell phone and started to play the video for all to see. It started Cliff Brown turning the camera on and specifically listing the date and proving it by showing the newspaper for that day. A few minutes after it started, the meeting had begun as Xander’s father appeared in the screen carrying a rather sizable attaché case.

“I assume that’s my money?” Cliff asked.

“It is,” The old man confirmed, “Half a million, just as we agreed.”

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Cliff asked, “I mean this is your own son we’re talking about here.”

“Don’t question me about that,” Xander’s father replied, “Just set it up and make sure it sticks enough so that the kid will have to pay them off to make it go away.”

“What did the kid do?” Cliff asked, “Forget to send a father’s day card?”

“That’s none of your damn business,” Xander’s father snapped back. “Just let me know when it’s done so I can get ahead of it and clean it all up for him.”

“Ahhh, now that makes sense,” Cliff said, amused by it. “You’re making this mess so you can sweep in and be hero daddy.”

“Just shut up and get it done,” the old man said, “This is the last time we’ll ever meet, so contact me through our usual channels from here out.”

“Sure thing,” Cliff said, “Have a nice day, Mr. Hopkins.”

As the old man left the room, the video showed Cliff starting to count his money and that is when Russell turned off the video.

“This isn’t the only one,” Russell added, “There are a few videos of your father making contact and planning the whole thing with Brown.”

“Damn it,” Xander said, as he couldn’t believe it.

“That’s awful,” Lauren said, just as disgusted by what she saw.

Both Xander and Lauren held one another as everyone remained silent until the limo drove them both back to Xander’s condo. As it entered the building’s private parking lot, it came to a stop right beside the elevators and Russell watched as the young couple got into the elevator and were gone after the doors closed.

“What now?” Mac asked, rather curious.

“Back to the office,” Russell answered.

“Are you serious?” Mac asked, even though she was the kid of girl that never came across an hour of overtime that she didn’t like.

“As serious as Chris Christie at a buffet,” Russell said, sighing. “Let’s get back to the office. We’ve got a lot of significant work to do.”