Moore doesn’t just lose a lawsuit. She loses her company, her reputation, possibly her freedom. This isn’t a game. This isn’t a feel-good story where the underdog wins through determination. This is people’s lives. Lucas held her gaze. I know what’s at stake. I also know that Miss Moore’s options are represent herself, find an attorney willing to take her case in 7 days or accept me.

Given those choices, I’m offering her the best chance she has. The best chance? Hail’s voice was full of scorn. You’re offering her a spectacle, a circus act, the janitor playing lawyer. It’ll make great headlines, I’m sure. But when we destroy you, and we will destroy you, what will that accomplish except humiliating both of you? Then you should be happy, Lucas said calmly.

If I’m such an easy target, you should be thrilled that Miss Moore is choosing me over more competent counsel. That landed. Hail’s jaw tightened, and Lucas saw the calculation in his eyes. If he continued to argue against Lucas’s representation, it would look like he was afraid. But if he accepted it, he was agreeing that a carpenter janitor was a legitimate opponent.

Judge Chen was watching this exchange with interest. Miss Moore, this is your decision, but I want you to think very carefully before you make it. Mr. Reed’s offer is unconventional. It’s also risky. You have other options. Do I? Evelyn asked. Your honor, with respect, what are my real options here? represent myself knowing I have no legal training and will be torn apart by Mr.

Hail’s team, spend the next seven days desperately calling attorneys, most of whom will refuse to take a case that my previous lawyer has publicly declared unwinable, or accept the help of someone who actually knows law, who has experience in exactly the kind of litigation I’m facing. He hasn’t practiced in 6 years, Judge Chen reminded her. And Mr.

Brighton had been practicing continuously and he abandoned me this morning. Evelyn turned to face Lucas fully. Mr. Reed, I don’t know you. I don’t know if you’re really as capable as you claim, but I know that Meridian Solutions has spent 8 months trying to intimidate me, bankrupt me, and steal my life’s work.

I know my attorney walked away precisely when I needed him most. and I know that you just stood up in a room full of people and offered to help when you had absolutely nothing to gain from it. So yes, if you’re serious about this, I accept your representation.” The courtroom burst into noise again, reporters typing furiously, spectators murmuring, Hail’s legal team conferring in urgent whispers.

Lucas felt the weight of what he just committed to settling onto his shoulders. It was familiar and terrifying in equal measure. Judge Chen raised her hand, and the room gradually quieted. Very well, Mr. Reid. You have until end of business today to reactivate your license and file the appropriate paperwork with the court indicating you are Ms. Moore’s council of record.

If those documents aren’t filed by 5:00 p.m., this agreement is void. Understood? Yes, your honor. The hearing is rescheduled for next Tuesday, 9:00 a.m. Both parties will be prepared to present arguments on Meridian Solutions motion for summary judgement. Mr. read. I suggest you spend the next 7 days reviewing everything you can about this case because I will hold you to the same standards I hold Mr. Hail.

I wouldn’t expect anything less. One more thing. Judge Chen’s voice dropped, became almost gentle. I remember you from before, Mr. Reed. You were talented. You had a bright future. I don’t know exactly why you left or what you’ve been doing for 6 years, but I hope you understand what you’re walking back into. This isn’t going to be easy.

Nothing worth doing ever is, your honor. Judge Chen nodded slowly, then raised her gavvel. This hearing is continued to Tuesday, June 27th, at 9:00 a.m. Court is adjourned. The gavl came down. People began gathering their things, standing, talking. Lucas felt frozen for a moment, the reality of what he’d done crashing over him like a wave.

Then Evelyn was beside him, her hand extended. Thank you, she said. I mean that even if this all goes wrong, thank you for standing up. Lucas shook her hand. Don’t thank me yet. We have a lot of work to do. I know. When can we start? How about now? I need to finish fixing this witness stand, file my paperwork, and then we should sit down and you can walk me through everything, the case, the technology, what really happened with Meridian.

I have files in my car, boxes of them, everything Brighton had. Good. We’re going to need all of it. Lucas paused. Miss Moore, I need you to understand something. I’m not doing this because I think we’ll definitely win. The odds are against us, but I am doing this because I think you deserve a real defense and because sometimes standing up is more important than winning.

I’ll take that, Evelyn said, and call me Evelyn. Lucas. They shook again. A proper introduction this time. Behind them, Richard Hail was packing his briefcase, surrounded by his team. He caught Lucas’s eye and smiled. Not a friendly smile, but the smile of a predator who’ just spotted easy prey. “Mr.

Reed,” Hail called out, his voice carrying across the courtroom. “A word?” Lucas walked over, aware of Evelyn following a step behind. Up close, Richard Hail was even more imposing. tall, perfectly groomed, exuding the confidence of three decades of victories. That was quite a performance, Hail said. Very dramatic. The janitor becomes a lawyer.

I’m sure the press will love it. This isn’t about press. No? Then what is it about? Recapturing past glory, proving something to yourself? Hail’s smile widened. Or maybe you actually believe you can win. Maybe I just believe in giving people a fair fight. How noble. Hail’s tone made it clear he thought nobility was a weakness.

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