Chapter 11: Tensions in Court

The courthouse was alive with activity, the halls filled with attorneys, clients, and court staff moving with purpose. Harper followed closely behind Ms. Walker, clutching a leather folder filled with case notes and legal briefs. The sound of Ms. Walker’s heels striking the marble floor was sharp and deliberate, echoing the same energy she carried into every room.

This was Harper’s first time attending a live court session, and her nerves buzzed as they entered the courtroom. The opposing counsel was already seated, their client whispering furiously into their ear. Ms. Walker barely glanced at them as she set her bag on the table, her movements methodical and precise.

“Harper,” she said softly, not looking up. “Sit behind me. Pay attention to everything.”

“Yes, ma’am,” Harper replied, slipping into the row just behind Ms. Walker.

The hearing began, and Harper was struck by the formality of it all: the judge’s stern voice, the attorneys rising to address the bench, the quiet shuffle of papers.

But what held her attention most was Ms. Walker.

---

As the proceedings unfolded, Harper could sense the mounting tension. The opposing counsel was aggressive, their arguments sharp and relentless. Ms. Walker countered with equal force, her voice steady and commanding.

But Harper noticed the slight clench of Ms. Walker’s jaw, the way her pen tapped rhythmically against the table when she wasn’t speaking. She was frustrated, though she hid it well.

At one point, the judge called for a brief recess. Ms. Walker turned in her chair, her sharp eyes locking onto Harper.

“Walk with me,” she said, rising from her seat.

Harper scrambled to her feet, following Ms. Walker into the hallway. They stood by the large windows overlooking the city, the late afternoon sun casting a golden glow over Ms. Walker’s sharp features.

“What do you think of their argument so far?” Ms. Walker asked abruptly, her voice low but insistent.

Harper blinked, caught off guard. “Well... they’re leaning heavily on the ambiguity of the contract language, but they haven’t substantiated their claims with precedent. If we emphasize the intent behind the contract—especially the timeline—it could weaken their position.”

Ms. Walker’s lips quirked into a small smile. “Not bad,” she said, her tone almost approving.

---

Back in the courtroom, the tension only grew. Harper watched as Ms. Walker took meticulous notes, her pen gliding swiftly over the paper. The opposing counsel made another bold claim, and Harper saw Ms. Walker’s brows knit together, a flicker of annoyance breaking through her composed exterior.

She leaned back slightly, tilting her head toward Harper.

“Watch this,” she whispered, her breath warm against Harper’s ear.

Harper caught a faint hint of Ms. Walker’s perfume—something rich and understated, with notes of sandalwood and jasmine. It was fitting, Harper thought, for someone as elegant and commanding as her.

Ms. Walker rose to her feet, her presence magnetic as she addressed the court.

“Your Honor,” she began, her voice smooth and confident, “the opposing counsel’s argument relies on misinterpreted case law and ignores the clear intent of the contract. If I may direct your attention to Exhibit C…”

Harper watched, enraptured, as Ms. Walker dismantled the opposition’s argument piece by piece.

---

Near the end of the session, Ms. Walker did something unexpected.

She turned slightly in her chair and gestured subtly for Harper to approach.

Harper hesitated, her pulse quickening, but rose and stepped forward. Ms. Walker leaned in, her voice a low whisper.

“What’s your take on how the judge is responding?”

Harper’s mind raced, but she forced herself to focus. “He seems skeptical of their broader claims but interested in the smaller technicalities. If we clarify the intent with more concrete examples, it could reinforce our position.”

Ms. Walker’s eyes flicked to Harper, her expression unreadable. Then, with a small nod, she turned back to face the court.

“Your Honor,” she said, her tone shifting slightly, “to further clarify, I’d like to draw your attention to the timeline outlined in the contract...”

Harper’s chest swelled with a mix of pride and disbelief. Ms. Walker had listened to her.

---

When the session finally ended, Ms. Walker gathered her things quickly. Harper trailed behind her as they exited the courthouse.

“Good work today,” Ms. Walker said as they reached her car, her voice softer than usual.

Harper blinked. “Thank you.”

Ms. Walker turned to face her, her gaze lingering for a moment. “You’ve got potential, Harper. Don’t waste it.”

Harper nodded, the weight of the compliment settling over her. As Ms. Walker got into her sleek black car and drove away, Harper stood there for a moment, the faint scent of her perfume still lingering in her mind.

She felt a renewed sense of purpose. For the first time in years, she wasn’t just surviving—she was proving herself. And people like Ms. Walker were beginning to notice.