Client Confidentiality

(59) Carlie

I watch as Elijah is sworn into the court. His expensive, designer suit compliments his carefully styled hair. He gives off the polished businessman that he truly is, with power radiating off him in waves. 

He sits down and unbuttons his black, suit jacket, his face and body posture relaxed despite the apprehension of an influx of difficult questions from Charles. 

"Tell me when your relationship began with Miss Knight," Charles holds no punches with his first question. I keep my gaze on Elijah, ensuring I still look professional as I clasp my hands together on the table. "I'd say it began just before she left your employment," Elijah answers nonchalantly. He keeps his eyes pinned on Charles, slightly narrowed to unnerve him. 

"Can you elaborate on that?"

"A week before," Elijah answers. I watch as Charles looks down and nods his head, trying to hide his cocky smile from the judge. 

He thinks he has won. 

"And isn't it right that your company was a client of the firm at the time?"

"Yes," Elijah nods his head. 

"Which is clearly in breach of Miss Knight's contract of Employment, and further yet, breach of conduct for her SRA licence as a practising Solicitor," Charles testifies. 

"Objection. Mr Lanarkshire is supposed to be asking questions," I inform the judge. She nods her head and narrows her gaze on Charles. 

"Ask questions or let your witness rest, Mr Lanarkshire," Judge Darnley instructs him. 

"I have nothing else to ask this witness," Charles tells to judge, who then looks to me. 

"Nothing from me, your Honour," I sit back in my chair. Charles quirks his eyebrow at me, shocked that I have nothing to add, but I'm all too happy to let this play out. 

He's just digging a deeper hole for his grave. 

Charles calls Zach and Callum next, but it's only the last question that has my attention. 

"Mr Ashford, please tell us about what happened in a nightclub between you and Miss Knight on the 16th August 2024," Charles asks, not bothering to hide the smirk this time. 

My back straightens and I can feel the colour draining out of my cheeks. I don't know how Charles found out about that night, but this could ruin my whole case. Hannah shuffles in her seat out of the corner of my eye but I can do nothing but stare at Callum and wait for his answer. 

Only, the look on his face tells me he's not in any rush to do so. His eyes are devoid of any emotion except for stone cold rage. His jaw is tight, his teeth practically cracking as he glares at Charles. 

"I don't see how that's relevant," he finally answers, his voice cold. 

"It was before your brother stated your relationship with Miss Knight began," Charles answers before turning to the judge, "I believe the witness will not answer the question. Do I have permission to do so?"

Judge Darnley turns to me to ask the question and I nod, knowing for a fact that Callum won't answer. He's still ashamed of that night, even if he never speaks of it. 

"Miss Knight and Mr Ashford had sexual relations on the night of the 16th August 2024, weeks before Miss Knight's contract of employment was terminated. Isn't that right, Mr Ashford?"

"Yes," Callum answers reluctantly. His fists clench but he clears his throats and moves them behind the table so the judge can't see. 

"I have nothing further to add," Charles moves to sit back down at his table. After I tell Judge Darnley I have nothing to ask, Callum stands from the witness table. He strolls past Charles, giving him a menacing glare as he passes. 

"Is there anything else anyone would like to say before I dismiss for my Judgment?" Judge Darnley asks. Clearing my throat, I take a deep breath before standing up and launching into my speech. 

"Yes, your Honour, if I may," she nods her head to me and I continue, "Whilst I could stand here and argue about the sexual harassment I experienced whilst working at Mr Lanarkshire's firm, not just from him but from my colleague, I believe the matter of the contract is far pressing. As Mr Lanarkshire alluded, there was a severe breach of contract. However, the contract first broke before any of the events stated by the witnesses."

I move back to my table and check over my documents, allowing a dramatic pause to fall over the room. 

"Exhibit 112, which was recently added into the list of documents, explicitly proves the moment that the contract was broken. You see, your Honour, it came to my attention that I was being followed outside of work hours. After further exploration, I found that I had been stalked by a private investigator for seven months prior to my leaving Mr Lanarkshire's firm. This included cameras being set up in my apartment.

"Now, the reason for this being a late addition to the exhibits is the paperwork I had to fill in and the hoops I had to jump through in order to find out the real story. And the real story is that Mr Lanarkshire kept tabs on me, employing a private investigator full time to ensure he had full surveillance of one of his employees. This directly breaches clause 52 of my employment contract with his firm and I should be entitled to damages for working without a valid contract."

When I sit down again, silence consumes the room. No-one, including myself can believe the bombshell I've just dropped. 

When Judge Darnley asks Charles for his comment, he sits back stunned, looking about two seconds away from a stroke. 

Finally, we're dismissed with the word of Judge Darnley for a spoken judgment in a week. As I'm guided out of the room, with Zach's hand carefully placed on my lower back, all I hear is ringing in my ears. 

Is it finally over?

And who has won? 

OOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... SUSPENSE