Client Confidentiality

(21) Zachary

"Any response, Miss Knight?" the judge asks her as the defence rests. 

I watch as she stands up from her seat, my eyes instantly falling on her hips as she sashays to the same space the weaselly defence lawyer had just been in. Confidence boasts out of her skin, creating an invisible halo around her that perfectly crowns her as an angel. 

She pauses, clearing her throat as she waits for silence before commanding the room with the sound of her melodic, intoxicating voice. 

"Your honour, as of today we have filed charges with the police in regards to the sexual misconduct from Mr Saunders. My client was violated by this man to such a degree that this can not be just a civil matter," she pauses for a second, turning around to the defence bench with fire burning in her eyes, "My client not only had to suffer through the hostile work environment Mr Saunders created at the click of his fingers, she also had to go through an abortion due to the defendant's invasive attack on her."

The words drip off her tongue like poison. The power she wields is a force unbeknown 

"Objection," Mr Cooke stands up, hot on his heels with a sweat brewing on his forehead. 

"On what grounds?" Judge Powell asks him, suddenly leaning forward as the case intensifies. 

"Your honour, she is testifying to a criminal case which has no place in a civil court. It should be kept entirely separate and has no relevance in this courtroom," Cooke scrambles, his voice threatening to waver in accordance with his nerves. 

Carlie is quick to jump in, whipping her head around to the judge, "Your honour, if the court would hear my argument out, you will understand that the psychological trauma my client ensued from the abortion she had to undergo to stop her having to bear the child of her assailant. It goes directly to the effect of Mr Saunders actions causing a destructive decline in my client's wellbeing and quality of life."

My eyes flicker to her client, a pang of sympathy hitting my chest as I watch her bear through gritted teeth her dignity being stripped for the sake of justice. 

The judge pauses for a few moments, leaving an air of thick tension in the room at the lack of his voice. 

"Proceed Miss Knight, but be careful not to impede your criminal proceedings with this," the judge directs to Carlie. 

I watch as her back straightens, probably due to being patronised about knowing the law. 

This girl knows more than people think she would. 

"Thank you, your honour," she turns her head to Cooke, raising her eyebrows as she waits for him to sit down. Once he does, she continues, "As I was saying, sexual abuse has consequences stretching further than the functional criminality of the act. I am not testifying how the act occurred or the consent within it," she turns to her client and gives her a sympathetic smile before carrying on, "I am simply saying that this case is far deeper than my client feeling uncomfortable at work. Her physical health was affected as much as her psychological health. It cannot stand for Mr Saunders to get away with the long term effects his actions had. Losing a child is a loss many won't and can't understand... but to those who do, it's the worst pain you could feel."

I glance to Elijah, analysing whether he heard her voice break too as she speaks of losing a child. He nods his head once, keeping his eyes pinned on her. 

"It was not her choice to become pregnant, whether consent was there or not. She had to choose between herself and an unborn baby that would forever remind her of this dark period in her life. For that, she is stronger than many will ever know."

"We need to take steps to ensure this young woman's life is not ruined by this man, protecting her and awarding the damages for the pain she has already had to endure," Carlie rests her case, leaving a lull in the air as she goes to sit down. 

Her client turns to her, giving her a tight-lipped smile, to which Carlie touches her arm gently to try console her. 

"Mr Cooke, any response?" Judge Powell directs to the defence.

"Your honour, I need to speak to my client regarding our response to this," Cooke scrambles. 

"Very well, we shall take a lunch break and reconvene in an hour," Judge Powell dismisses everyone. 

Carlie whispers to her client, making her smile as they both stand up. She walks away, leaving Carlie to head straight to us. 

"What are you doing here?" she furrows her brow in confusion as she reaches us. Her eyes flicker to Callum, who is staring straight at her, unrelenting in his intensity. She tries to ignore it, turning her attention to Elijah and I. 

"We wanted to see what you're like in court," Elijah shrugs. He's acting nonchalant but I can tell he is impressed by her advocacy to her client. She stares at him, her eyes widening ever so slightly. 

She really puts her heart and soul into her cases. 

"Do you have lunch plans?" I ask her, wanting her eyes on me again. 

"Not really," she answers, "My client is meeting up with a friend so I was just going to grab a quick bite from somewhere."

"Will you come for lunch with us?" Elijah asks, his expression more yearning this time. 

"Sure," her eyes flicker to Callum again but his face is void of emotion. 

He's making her nervous. 

The great Carlie Knight is nervous.

We walk out the court room, heading to a restaurant near by that's owned by one of our old friends. 

We're seated straight away, despite the queue leading from outside. I can tell Carlie is taken aback by the service but the three of us don't bat an eyelid, used to getting what we want. 

We always get what we want, Carlie. 

Guys, I actually loved writing this chapter.

I think it's my favourite one I've ever written. 

Carlie is exactly the kind of solicitor I want to be - someone who cares about their clients more than the paycheck requires them to. 

Anyway, sorry if some of the paragraphs were a bit long but it needed to be said <33