A court of law, not morality.
Both Cassandra, especially Kiara, understood that aning very well. After all, Kiara’s childhood had been surrounded by the rules of the court and the law. It was what made her more familiar with it, and thus, the very reason she couldn’t bear to beco what her parents wanted her to be.
Morality.
It never sat well with her.
With Grace uttering those words, the three of them got into the case with Grace as promised, walking through it carefully. Cassandra focused on her steps a month before the arrest. There were many vague mories, but many vivid ones.
Kiara, on the other hand, tried to understand all the files, despite Grace assisting them with them.
As for Grace, she quietly read a docunt about another case that had similar elents to this one. While reading, she couldn’t help but peek at Cassandra. The latter was busy scribbling notes, making all sorts of faces while recalling everything she had done in the past month.
’Not an easy task, but...’ Grace’s thoughts trailed off, peeling her eyes from Cassandra to the files she was reading. ’I’m sure there’s sothing we’ll find out.’
Why was Cassandra being pinned for such a cri?
Of all the people, why did it have to be her?
And what else could they uncover with this case?
There was a lot more to uncover, especially since Cassandra would be thrown in jail if Grace made the tiniest mistake.
As Grace refocused on studying this other case—the case she had been reading ever since Cassandra’s case broke the news—her focus halted. Her brows rose, and she turned her head to the person standing beside her.
Cassandra.
"What?" Grace asked, her right brow arching. "Is there anything else you need?"
Cassandra bit her bottom lip, glancing at Kiara’s empty spot. The latter had quietly left for the bathroom, prompting Cassandra to approach Grace about her concern.
"I have sothing to talk to you about," she explained quietly. "But... can we do it sowhere else?"
Grace studied the look on Cassandra’s face and wordlessly nodded. She took off her slim reading glasses and the file in her hand.
"Co with ," she said, pushing herself up from her seat.
With that, Cassandra followed Grace, heading out of their unit. She didn’t know where Grace would take her, but as long as it was sowhere Kiara wasn’t present, it was fine. After all, what she was going to discuss with Grace was not sothing she wanted Kiara to hear.
When Kiara returned to the living area where they had been working quietly, deep lines ford on her forehead. Aside from the papers they had been going through, Grace and Cassandra were nowhere in sight.
"Where did they go?" she wondered to herself, tilting her head to the side.
---
Cassandra kept following Grace until they reached the ergency exit. However, just when she thought that was where Grace would stop, the latter continued going upstairs.
"Start talking now," said Grace, her hands trailing the railings as she casually took the steps up. "I’m listening."
Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin line, reaching out to the railing as she followed three steps behind. "Attorney, the problem is... I hired soone not long ago."
"Uh huh..."
"And the person I hired is—well, he’s a shady person," she sighed heavily. "If the police have been monitoring for a month, then I’m sure they’re going to use my request to that person to attack my integrity and capabilities."
Just like her previous tone, Grace just humd. "Uh huh..."
Her lack of reaction made Cassandra press her lips into a thin line. Looking at Grace’s back, another deep sigh escaped her.
"My request is... send soone... Nina Reed, a horrible gift," she explained, just in case Grace wasn’t aware. "It’s a dead bird—but I swear, I didn’t an to harm her. I just wanted to scare her and... I just wanted to scare her. I just lost my mind, that’s all."
This ti, Grace’s steps stopped. Her action also put a halt to Cassandra’s steps.
"Cassandra Smith, do you think Penny and I are only tied because of a legal contract?" Grace asked, turning to Cassandra. Her expression was unchanged and almost cold. "Penny is more than just a client to ; she’s more than just a friend or a sister. She is my savior."
"I am saying this because Nina Reed is Penelope Bennet’s sister," she continued. "I was made aware of this before Penny even barged into that private ward that day. Do you think I was there for decoration? I was there because I knew she was going to get in trouble, so if she ended up beating you to a pulp, she wouldn’t spend a day in jail."
Grace slowly raised her brows. "And my words are simply to reinforce the statent I’ve already made not long ago. I was made aware of that, at least."
After saying that, Grace resud her steps, slow and deliberate.
"Of course, the prosecution will use that to their advantage, and it makes things more tricky for us. It’s why we’re here, and it’s why I’m asking you to rember everything you’ve done in the past month before your arrest," she explained, her voice still calm but assertive. "But that is sothing I have to worry about, not you."
A brief mont of silence fell on their shoulders as they continued to make their way upstairs. No words were said until the two of them reached the entrance to the rooftop.
Grace pushed the door open and walked out. Her hair quickly fluttered back with the strong gust of wind. Cassandra, on the other hand, held the door and barely took a step onto the rooftop. Her eyes remained on Grace’s back.
"Although I think you have a bigger problem to worry about." After a few seconds, Grace’s voice was heard again.
Slowly, she turned to face Cassandra. "I worry about how to deal with that transaction you had to traumatize another person, but I think you have to worry about whether or not you want to keep this a secret from your friend."
"..." Cassandra pressed her lips into a thin line, staring at Grace.
"After spending so ti with Kiara, I see her as soone who has a huge opinion on morality," Grace added in a knowing tone. "Telling her about this might break your friendship and disappoint her. She believes in you so much, after all. Or... decide that you’ll be the one to tell her about it because if she’s going to be ddling with this case, she’ll eventually find out. Whether it’s from you or soone else."
Grace nodded at her. "This may not be a case of morality, but innocence. However, that doesn’t an it doesn’t have its repercussions, Cassandra Smith."
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