Court Attention At All Cost Novels & Stories

“Maybe you ought to take a day to think this over.” She didn’t need to think, she needed to act. She had the money stashed in her savings account. True, she’d been saving to buy a new car because her beat-up sedan was starting to show its age, but she’d rather ride the bus than give up without a fight. “Will you take the case or not?” she asked. “I’ll take it,” the attorney answered, shaking her head, plainly believing Beatrice was a foolish girl. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you when you’re sitting in court crying because you spent so much money for so little outcome.”

This was going to be the litigation of the century. No one had ever tried to dispute the ruling of the Audit Commission, not to mention taking them to court, but Freda was here, trying to do exactly what no one in history had ever done. She was so bent on dragging them to court, and Andre wondered if her mother should actually drag the audit commission to get level or just drag Sally and Lana to court over one thing or another; there was always one reason to go to court if her mother wanted it.

“We should pull up at the house and beat the shit out of her!” I can't help laughing. “Since when did you become a gangster?” “This isn't a laughing matter. You shouldn't allow her to do this.” “Oh, I won’t. I am gonna fight her with my last drop of blood.” Allison claps. “That’s the spirit. That thief needs to be put in her place once and for all.” Going to court is the last thing I want. I already have a lot going on in my life. But if this is the price I have to pay to protect my money, then let the games begin.

"Sitting where you'd see him. Smiling. Making you react. That's his game. Don't play it." "I can't go in that courtroom." "Then we'll argue that. We'll" A knock on the door. The bailiff. "Judge is ready. Both parties present." Catherine looked at me. "Your call. But Nora, if you don't show, if we argue video testimony and the judge says no, you forfeit. He wins by default." "That's not fair." "No. But it's the law." I looked at Dominic. "I can't." "Then we leave. Right now. We walk away. He can have his modification. We'll, we'll move. Leave the city. Whatever you need."

"I understand why you made the choices you did. A judge would probably understand the circumstances too. But understanding the circumstances and ruling in your favor aren't the same thing." She folded her hands on the desk. "Here's the reality. He has substantial financial resources. If this goes to court, he'll be able to hire attorneys far beyond what legal aid can provide. The process could take a year or more, and it will cost you far more than money. Stress. Time. Your daughter would have to participate in evaluations and interviews." She let that sink in. "Honestly, your strongest position isn't in a courtroom. Your strongest position is at the negotiating table, where you still have s

Make sure the judge knows, so they don't think I'm trying to extort her. The longer the lawsuit dragged on, the more miserable the Gantt family would become. But three months was the limit—after that, the apocalypse would arrive, and the Gantts wouldn't have to fork out the money anymore. He wanted to make sure they felt the sting of losing money. Chuck found the demand strange. He'd never met a client who wanted to prolong litigation. But fine—no reason to argue. The longer the case ran, the more hours he could bill. Why object?

I said, “we still have Day 30.” The line settled over the room because everyone knew it was true. Tomorrow was not salvation. Tomorrow was a barrier. Necessary, temporary, probably ugly. Renaud came around the desk and stopped beside me, not touching, just near enough that I could feel the shift in air. “Yes,” he said. “If we win court, we still have Day 30.” “And if we lose?” Julien answered first. “Then Hector walks into the board day carrying a temporary legal blessing and every coward in the room decides that caution suddenly looks like wisdom.”

one of them finally has the guts to repeat it. I cut my gaze to him, slow and sharp. “Settling, huh?” “Yes,” another one jumps in quickly, almost relieved someone else said it first. “A settlement could save us the cost and risk of a trial, because if this goes badly, you could be ordered to pay the full two hundred and fifty million dollars.” Silence lingers, and for a beat, I consider letting them squirm. Then I lean forward, hand flat on the polished table. “No. Not an option,” I blurt, the words sharp, clipped, and final.

In the car afterward Zara and I sat for a moment before either of us started the engine. "The suppression motion," she said. "If the judge grants it." "We fight it at every level," I said. "And we build the financial case without the backup if we have to. It is harder but it is doable." "And if Marcus walks on two or three counts because of technicalities."

How is that too much? I snorted and raised my voice. "I'm telling you now, if a single dollar is missing, you won't have peace for the rest of your lives. I'll always come for you guys!" Hames choked on his words. His expression turned ugly. "If you don't accept mediation," I said, rising to my feet. "Then we'll go through formal litigation." I looked at Henry. He sat in his wheelchair. His face was ashen. "The only question is whether Henry can wait that long. Lawsuits take time. With trials and appeal, it isn't unusual for things to drag on for a year or two."