Chapter 42
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The retaliation from Victor Thorne’s legal team was swift, aggressive, and entirely predictable. On Monday morning, a courier arrived at the Legal Advocacy Clinic bearing a thick, heavy envelope printed on expensive, cream-colored linen paper. It was addressed directly to Lily, with Professor Hayes copied.
Lily sat at her small, battered desk and sliced the envelope open. Inside was a formal cease-and-desist letter, drafted by the senior partner of Thorne's high-rise law firm.
"What did they send you?" Caleb asked, walking over and leaning against her desk, looking concerned.
"It's a threat," Lily said calmly, scanning the dense legal jargon. "They are accusing me of conducting an unauthorized, malicious investigation into Mr. Thorne's corporate entities. They are threatening to file a formal grievance with the state bar association, claiming I am violating ethical codes by harassing his business partners with subpoenas."
Professor Hayes walked out of her office, having received her copy of the letter. She looked at Lily with a stern, evaluating expression.
"A grievance with the bar association before you even graduate could jeopardize your entire career, Lily," Professor Hayes warned, her voice grave. "It triggers a moral character investigation. If they push this, they can tie you up in administrative hell for years. They are trying to scare you off the case."
"I know exactly what they are doing," Lily replied, setting the letter down on her desk without a single tremble in her hands.
"I have to ask you formally, as your clinic director," Professor Hayes said, crossing her arms. "Do you want to step down as lead counsel on Rosa's case? I can assign another student, or take it over myself. No one would judge you for protecting your future."
Lily looked at the expensive paper sitting on her cheap desk. She thought about Rosa, trembling in the interview room, terrified that the system would abandon her again.
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"My future isn't worth anything if I start compromising my integrity before I even pass the bar," Lily stated with absolute, immovable conviction. "I am not stepping down. We proceed with the subpoenas."
A slow, proud smile spread across Professor Hayes's hardened face. "Good answer, counselor. Draft the response. Tell them we will see them in court."
