The preliminary hearing ended, leaving me feeling hollowed out and defeated. As Calvin gathered his papers, a shadow fell over me. It was Mr. Harrington, Croft’s lawyer, his expression now less theatrical, more predatory.
“Mrs. Holloway,” he began, a slick smile on his face, “Mr. Croft, in his generosity and out of a desire to avoid further unpleasantness during these critical wartime efforts, is willing to offer you a settlement.”
My eyes narrowed. “A settlement? After what he did?”
“A small sum, of course,” Harrington continued, as if discussing pocket change. “Enough to cover some incidentals, perhaps. On the condition that you immediately withdraw your lawsuit and sign a full waiver of all claims.”
He paused, letting his words hang in the air. “Consider this your last chance, Mrs. Holloway. Pursuing this further will only bring you more hardship. You’ve already lost your job. Don’t lose everything else.”
His words were a direct threat, a chilling reminder of Croft’s reach. He knew my vulnerabilities, knew how precarious my situation was. He wanted to buy my silence, to make this disappear.
A cold wave of resolve washed over me. “He will not buy my silence,” I said, my voice low but firm. “My son deserves justice. Not a handout from a coward.”
Harrington’s smile vanished, replaced by a cold, calculating stare. “As you wish, Mrs. Holloway. But remember, some battles are not meant to be won.”
He turned and walked away, leaving me trembling with a mix of fear and defiant rage.
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