Hugo Valence sat on the leather couch in the coffee shop, his silver-rimmed glasses perched on his high nose bridge. His deep-set eyes behind the lenses were like bottomless pools.

His pale complexion and sharp features exuded aristocratic elegance. The slight curve of his thin lips completed the image of a noble-born gentleman.

Jenna Roland froze. She had expected a greasy middle-aged lawyer, not this strikingly handsome man.

This man could probably win court cases with his looks alone.

Hugo stood, extending his long, well-defined fingers. "Miss Roland, I've heard much about you."

Jenna snapped out of her daze and shook his hand politely. "Mr. Valence."

His touch was ice-cold, like holding a piece of jade.

"Please, have a seat." He gestured.

A server approached. Jenna ordered a latte, her smile perfectly measured.

Hugo requested black coffee before turning his gaze back to her. "Tell me about the orchard."

Jenna tensed.

"It was my parents' legacy, registered under my father's name. After their car accident five years ago, the will stated my uncle would manage it until I married, then return it to me."

Hugo raised an eyebrow. "You're married?"

"I rushed into a marriage of convenience to reclaim the orchard." Jenna's smile turned bitter. "But my uncle refused to honor the agreement."

"What's the orchard's annual income?"

"About eighty thousand." Her fists clenched. "My brother needs heart surgery. I begged them for a loan on my knees. They gave nothing."

Her voice remained steady, but pain flickered in her eyes.

Hugo's pen scratched across his notepad.

"What responsibilities did you have at your uncle's house?"

"I did all the housework, worked in the orchard, paid rent and living expenses after getting a job." Her voice grew hoarse. "We never took advantage."

Hugo suddenly closed his notebook. "A car accident and a will—don't you find that contradictory?"

Jenna's pupils constricted.

"How could they have prepared a will for an unexpected crash? Unless..." His gaze turned knowing.

Jenna's fingers trembled. "I did find the will in my parents' bedroom. But..."