Chapter 61: Bennett Vs Lackman
The conference room was buzzing with energy as Ethan and his team gathered around the long, polished table. The air was thick with the scent of freshly brewed coffee and the faint hum of anticipation. Stacks of documents, laptops, and legal pads were scattered across the table, each person fully immersed in the details of the case.
Ethan stood at the head of the table, his sleeves rolled up and his tie slightly loosened. His sharp eyes scanned the room, taking in the faces of his associates. "Alright, let’s get started," he said, his voice calm but commanding. "This case is going to be messy, and the Shepherds are on the other side. That means we need to be airtight. No room for mistakes."
One of his associates, a young but brilliant lawyer named Danmark, leaned forward. "The Shepherd firm is going to come hard at us. They’re framing this as a clear-cut case of corporate sabotage and unethical practices. They’ll argue that our client, Mr. Lackman, used illegal means to acquire the company, which led to the emotional and financial collapse of the original owner, Mr. Harold Bennett—ultimately causing his death."
Ethan nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And their narrative is compelling. A man loses his life’s work, can’t handle the pressure, and passes away. The media is already painting Lackman as the villain. But we’re not here to win the court of public opinion. We’re here to win in the courtroom."
Another associate, Clara, chimed in. "The key is to shift the focus. Bennett’s company was already in trouble long before Lackman stepped in. We have evidence of mismanagement, mounting debts, and questionable decisions made by Bennett himself. Lackman didn’t destroy the company—he saved it from collapsing entirely."
Ethan’s lips curved into a faint smile. "Exactly. Lackman saw an opportunity to turn things around. Yes, his methods were aggressive, but they weren’t illegal. We need to prove that Bennett’s downfall was a result of his own actions, not Lackman’s."
Danmark flipped through his notes. "What about the emotional angle? They will play heavily on the fact that Bennett was a family man, a pillar of the community. They’ll argue that Lackman’s actions were heartless and predatory."
Ethan’s gaze hardened. "Then we remind the jury that business isn’t about emotions. It’s about facts. Lackman didn’t force Bennett to make poor decisions. He didn’t hold a gun to his head. Bennett’s inability to handle the pressure of his own failures isn’t Lackman’s fault."
Clara raised an eyebrow. "But we can’t come off as too cold. The jury will sympathize with Bennett. We need to humanize Lackman. Show that he’s not some corporate monster—he’s a businessman who took a risk to save a failing company and create jobs in the process."