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"May I ask why I'm being taken off the Johnson trial when there are only three days left?" I asked, my voice measured but carrying a hint of frustration.
Mr. Gilbert leaned back in his chair, his expression serious.
"This case needs attention, and I believe you can handle it effectively," he replied.
It was a diplomatic answer, but it did little to appease my irritation.
Disbelief bubbled up within me, threatening to spill over. A case regarding a noisy neighbor's dog needed my legal expertise; was my boss insane? I took several deep breaths, struggling to contain my frustration. I could feel Mr. Gilbert's eyes on me, seemingly amused by my agitated state.
Summoning my best professional demeanor, I pushed through my exasperation and inquired, "If I'm being reassigned, may I at least know who will be taking over the Johnson case?"
Mr. Gilbert's gaze remained unwavering, his expression almost smug.
"That isn't something you need to concern yourself with, Griselda. Just focus on the new case," he dismissed me as if my involvement or investment in the previous case was inconsequential.
It took every ounce of self-control not to voice my exasperation. With a tight-lipped smile, I acknowledged his directive and excused myself from his office. As I closed the door behind me, frustration gnawed at my insides.
I couldn't shake off my bewilderment. I couldn't understand how a case involving a neighbor's barking dog took precedence over a trial that could significantly impact someone's life.
It was a blatant misuse of my skills and expertise. I didn't mean to brag, but I knew I was a damn good lawyer. My courtroom skills were honed, and my legal knowledge was expansive. I had won several complex cases. Being relegated to a petty dispute was not only senseless but also demeaning.
With a heavy heart, I made my way towards the room where my team was stationed. They needed to hear the news from me directly. As I approached, I overheard snippets of their conversation, laced with frustration and anger.
They were discussing being pulled from the Johnson case. It caught me off guard; how did they already know?
I walked into the room, a mix of surprise and concern on my face.
"You guys already know?" I asked.
Matthew sighed, "Yeah."
Their faces mirrored the disappointment that sat heavily in my chest. I felt the need to gather the fragments of this shattered news and understand how it had been disseminated so quickly.
"How did you find out?" I asked, my voice tinged with frustration.
Sophia, her expression twisted in contempt, responded first. "Carmella was here not too long ago."
"Carmella?" I asked in disbelief. The name left a sour taste in my mouth.
Sophia's tone grew sharper as she continued recounting Carmella's boastful visit. "Yes. She strutted in here with that infuriatingly smug grin plastered on her face, and she bragged about taking over the Johnson case."
Fury surged through me. Carmella was a fellow lawyer in the firm, but any amicable pretense had evaporated long ago. It was an open secret that she seemed to land the best cases due to her questionable relationship with the boss.
Dave chimed in, his words dripping with sarcasm, "Oh, I thought she was 'occupied' with another 'big' case."
His air quotes hung mockingly, highlighting the injustice we all sensed.
"Why does she even bother stealing cases she isn't competent to handle?" Luca's frustration boiled over, his disbelief evident in his voice. "What's the point?"
The sentiment echoed through the room.
I rolled my eyes, a mix of exasperation and resignation. "Carmella seems to believe it's her life's mission to outshine everyone, skills be damned."
We were a group of professionals grappling with the reality that competence often took a back seat to other ‘considerations’. With nothing important left to do, we all decided to call it a day and left Joe and Burrows’ law firm early.
As the afternoon drifted into a frustrating evening, I made my way home. This time of day, the traffic wasn’t so heavy yet, and my trusted Nissan Altima brought me to my apartment faster than usual.
My apartment, a cozy space nestled amidst the vibrant city, was my sanctuary. I opted for a short, deep blue, body-hugging gown. A touch of makeup, a slight tousle of my hair, and I was ready to immerse myself in a night out.
