Chapter 287
Chapter 287:
Jemma glanced at Monica, her eyes wide with fear. Monica placed a reassuring hand on Jemma’s shoulder, but when she turned her attention toward Kristine, every trace of warmth in her gaze disappeared.
Thirty minutes later, everyone returned to the courtroom as the session resumed.
This time, the judge didn’t immediately call the court to order. Instead, his focus shifted to Asher. “Mr. Edwards, please present your license to practice law p>
A flicker of unease crossed both Kristine’s and Asher’s faces.
When Asher didn’t respond right away, the judge’s expression hardened. “Mr. Edwards, I’m waiting p>
“He can’t provide one — he isn’t licensed, is he?” Brendan seized the opportunity, his voice laced with mockery.
A sharp glint entered Asher’s eyes as he met Brendan’s gaze. Brendan suddenly felt a chill crawl up his spine.
Turning back to the judge, Asher spoke with steady honesty. “I apologize, Your Honor. I don’t have a law license, and I had no intention to mislead. I simply had no other option p>
“Oh, really p>
“We did secure legal representation, but our lawyer never arrived, leaving me to step in for the defense p>
“So you’re not trained as a lawyer?” the judge asked.
𝗕𝖾 𝘱𝗮rt о𝘧 𝘰𝘶r со𝗺m𝘂𝗇𝗶t𝘺 о𝗇.со𝘮
“That’s correct p>
Surprise registered on the judge’s face. He found Asher’s courtroom performance genuinely impressive — he had never guessed that Asher hadn’t studied law.
“But if that’s the case, how do you know the law so thoroughly?” the judge asked.
“The lawyer prepared everything for me in advance p>
The judge’s eyebrows rose even higher. “Are you saying all your arguments today were relayed from Ms. Green’s actual lawyer p>
“Exactly p>
The judge glanced from Asher to Kristine, his gaze thoughtful. He already knew the background: after Kristine’s father passed, Monica had moved Steven and Jemma into the house. The facts weren’t lost on him, and inwardly, he hoped Kristine would prevail.
But his duty demanded impartiality.
“Because the defendant’s counsel is not properly credentialed, I must postpone these proceedings. Mr. Edwards, representing yourself as counsel without a license is in violation of court rules and carries a penalty. Do you wish to contest the fine p>
“No, Your Honor,” Asher responded with calm acceptance.
“In that case, court is adjourned p>
Brendan opened his mouth to object, but the judge was already gone.
Left with no audience, Brendan shot Asher a bitter look. “You got off easy today p>
Asher responded with a faint smile.
Brendan scowled, but then a thought seemed to spark in his eyes. His voice turned sly. “Ms. Green’s lawyer must be something special. I look forward to meeting them next time — hopefully they’ll actually appear.” With that, he walked out with Monica and Jemma in tow.
Asher waited until they had disappeared before glancing at Kristine, who stood lost in thought as she watched Brendan go.
“What’s on your mind?” Asher asked quietly.
Kristine blinked and forced herself to focus. “It’s nothing. We should go settle the fine p>
“No hurry. I’ll call Tripp and find out what happened to Nathan p>
Hearing Nathan’s name, Kristine felt a pang of disappointment. “Maybe he changed his mind at the last minute p>