- 6.
It was Leo Maxwell.
He founded Maxwell & Associates, a rising
く
star in the legal scene.
His firm’s values were totally in line with
mine.
He’d tried to poach me before, but I felt
obligated to Frank, who was my mentor.
Tommy scoffed:
“Without permission, you can’t record court
proceedings. What evidence could Leo
possibly have?”
Leo chuckled.
“As it happens, I was at that hearing too…
Dave jumped in:
وو
“So what? I was there with Tommy. Our word
is as good as yours.”
Leo shook his head.
“”
“Why are you so jumpy, Dave? You got
something to hide?”
He went on:
“Sue’s courtroom presence blew me away. I
wanted our new recruits to see it firsthand.
“So, I asked the court to fast–track the audio
recording of the hearing onto their online
database.
وو
“Should be up now. Feel free to judge for
yourselves!”
Suddenly, the office was filled with the click-
clack of keyboards as everyone started
digging up the recording.
While everyone was occupied, Leo whispered
in my ear:
“Sue, you’re a legal warrior princess who can
kick Amber’s ass out the door.”
“That slap you gave her outside the
courthouse? Classic…”
I knew he was looking for a pat on the back.
He must have seen the argument at the
courthouse and put all this in motion.
“Thanks.”
I said quietly, a little down.
He pounced on the opportunity:
“If you’re not happy, why not jump ship to our
firm?”
I hesitated.
“I’ll think about it.”
He was about to say more, but the office
erupted in comments:
“Did you hear what Amber said? ‘Tommy,
help meee!‘ Who talks like that in court?!”
“What is that?! Is that even allowed for the
court to write that?”
The tide had turned.
“Thank God Sue stepped in, or our firm’s rep
would be in the toilet!”
“Sue’s comeback was amazing! That logic!
That quick thinking! Impressive!”
“Sue’s not holding anyone back. Amber
should be kissing her feet!”
The buzz got louder, and Frank’s face got
darker.
Their accusations against me were now
totally bogus.
The court record was the best evidence.
Dave suddenly yelled:
“Enough! You all have too much free time.
You need more work to do!”
I said, louder:
“Just a little chat about the events of the
hearing. A learning experience!”
I emphasized “learning experience.” They all
looked uncomfortable.
Someone mumbled:
“Yeah, all that bragging about being a genius,
then she cries like a baby in court.
“”
“Partnering with her would be a nightmare.‘
“How does she even have the nerve to show
up at the office?”
“Enough!”
Frank looked like thunder, silencing everyone.
Since Frank was upset, people didn’t dare say
anything more.
r
“A rookie’s little slip–up, that’s all. Case
closed. No more discussion!”
He turned and left.
Watching him walk away, I felt a pang in my
heart, like something was collapsing.
For Amber, he’d ignored the client’s best
interests, the principles of justice, and his
own beliefs.
He didn’t care about the truth, just needed a
scapegoat.
To make me admit I was wrong.
Was he the one who pushed me to the edge
last time?
Probably.
I clenched my fists, fighting back tears.
