#Chapter 24: A Real Lawyer

Thursday evening came and we were once again settled into the spacious conference room. Timothy had yet to arrive, so it was just Linda and I trapped in each other’s company. I couldn't help but notice how she arranged the files and documents on her desk, subtly pushing my work to the sidelines. She turned to me, her lips curving into a smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Evie, I've reviewed your initial work on Mr. Hayes’ case," she said, her voice oozing with condescension. "I have a few ideas on how to proceed. You can assist me by taking notes during the meeting with Timothy this afternoon." Assist. The word stung like a slap to the face. I had spent weeks preparing for this case, diving into the legal intricacies, and now Linda was reducing me to a mere note-taker. I clenched my fists, trying to swallow the anger that was bubbling up inside me. "Actually, Linda, I'd like to discuss some of my ideas for the case during the meeting," I responded, my voice steady. Lind