She's a headstrong lawyer who has had groundbreaking success in her field despite her young age.
They are three dominant brothers who need a lawyer for their multi-million pound business.
What could go wrong?
NOTE: THIS IS A REVERSE HAREM NOVEL
Bo...
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The ringing in my ears returns as the Judge delivers her judgment.
I was surprised it wasn't simply a written judgment, sent to all parties via email. Instead, she had us hauling ourselves out of bed at 6am, ramped with nerves as we pour our coffee with bleary eyes and rush to the courtroom.
"There have been a lot of blurred lines and potential breaches in this case," she looks between Charles and I with equal discontent. "Employment law has been tested in many ways during this tribunal, ways that provoke the very reason for the laws being created in the first place.
"A contract of employment is meant to provide protection for both the employer and its employee. Each clause is crafted to ensure neither party abuses their power. However, unfortunately, the contract of employment in this matter has been exploited beyond reasonable grounds."
I take a deep breath as Hannah bounces her knee nervously next to me.
This is it.
This is the moment I find out my fate.
"Mr Lanarkshire." Charles sits up as the Judge mentions his name. "You presented facts and statements, along with three witnesses who had a clear, personal connection with the Defendant. Those witnesses answered the questions truthfully and honestly."
I wait on bated breath, sure she is going to tell him he's won.
"But you have failed to persuade me that Miss Knight broke her contract with you. As I see it, the contract of employment did not explicitly state she could have relations with her clients. Furthermore, there is no evidence of the relationship being formally initiated prior to Miss Knight's resignation.
"Miss Knight," she turns to me and I tense.
Fuck, I feel like I've been called into the Principal's office and am about to get detention.
"You have also provided facts and statements, along with evidential photographs and a timeline of Mr Lanarkshire and his firm's actions in hiring a private investigator to follow you." She pauses and I swear all the air leaves the room. I practically choke from not breathing.
"My Judgment is as follows. Miss Knight, you have successfully persuaded me to not only dismiss Mr Lanarkshire's claim, but to order his firm to pay you in damages. According to my records and the timeline provided by yourself," she pauses and looks down at her notes. "You were followed for seven months, which is not only a breach of your employment contract, but also a breach of your article 8 right to a private life. These are both serious breaches and you should be fairly compensated for the fact. As such, I order the firm to pay you £1.2 million in damages for both offences."
I barely hear Charles' outrage above Hannah's sobbing next to me. My hands shake but the rest of my body is completely motionless. Adrenaline is coursing through me, but I still can't move, too overcome by this all finally being over.
