Chapter 17 What You Deserve
Sarah was going through emails when Stacy knocked and stepped in without waiting.
“There’s someone at the front desk,” Stacy said. “He says it’s urgent.”
Sarah didn’t look up. “Who?”
Stacy hesitated. “Crude Farwell.”
Sarah’s fingers froze on the keyboard.
“What?” she asked.
“He doesn’t have an appointment,” Stacy continued, “but he keeps saying it’s official and time-sensitive.”
Sarah leaned back slowly. Her stomach tightened.
Crude Farwell.
The name alone made her skin crawl.
“Did he say what it’s about?” Sarah asked.
“He said it concerns your legal situation,” Stacy replied. “He mentioned Joseph.”
Sarah exhaled. Of course.
“Tell them to let him in,” Sarah said. “And stay.”
Stacy frowned. “Stay?”
“Yes,” Sarah said firmly. “I don’t want to be alone with him.”
A few minutes later, Crude walked in.
He was dressed neatly, as always, but there was something off. His smile didn’t reach his eyes. His steps were stiff, like he was forcing himself to look calm.
“Sarah,” he said, closing the door behind him. “Thank you for seeing me on short notice.”
She stayed seated. “You said it was urgent.”
“It is,” Crude replied.
His eyes flicked to Stacy.
“And private,” he added.
Sarah crossed her arms. “You can say whatever you need to say in front of her.”
Crude frowned. “This is sensitive legal information.”
Stacy spoke up. “I’m her operations manager. I’m trusted.”
Crude shook his head. “This is not appropriate.”
Sarah studied him. Something about his tension felt wrong.
“Stacy,” Sarah said slowly, “give us a moment. But don’t go far.”
Stacy looked uneasy. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” Sarah replied, even though her chest was tight.
Stacy left, closing the door softly.
The silence that followed felt heavy.
Crude cleared his throat. “I won’t take much of your time.”
“Good,” Sarah said. “You don’t have an appointment.”
Crude sat down without being invited. “I came to inform you that I will no longer be representing you.”
Sarah blinked. “What?”
“I’ve withdrawn from your case,” he said.
She leaned forward. “Why?”
Crude hesitated. “I received a message.”
“What kind of message?” Sarah asked.
“A warning,” he replied.
Her brows pulled together. “From who?”
Crude didn’t answer right away. He shifted in his seat.
“What did the message say?” Sarah pressed.
He sighed. “It said I should stay away from you. That continuing to represent you would be a mistake.”
Sarah’s heart skipped. “That sounds vague.”
“It wasn’t,” Crude said. “The tone was… serious.”
She stared at him. “Are you saying someone threatened you?”
Crude lifted his hands. “I’m saying I was advised. Strongly.”
Sarah sat back. “Why would anyone do that?”
Crude’s jaw tightened. “That’s what I came to ask you.”
She frowned. “Ask me what?”
His eyes narrowed. “Who did you tell that I harassed you?”
The words hit her like cold water.
“What?” she said sharply.
“Who did you report me to?” Crude asked.
“I didn’t,” Sarah replied immediately.
He scoffed. “You expect me to believe that?”
“Yes,” she said. “Because it’s the truth.”
Crude leaned forward. “That message came less than twenty-four hours after our last meeting.”
Sarah’s mind raced. “I didn’t file a complaint. I didn’t call anyone. I didn’t tell my staff.”
“Then how did this person know?” Crude snapped.
“I don’t know,” Sarah said, her voice steady. “But accusing me won’t change that.”
Crude laughed bitterly. “You think I’d put my career on the line for nothing?”
Sarah stood up. “You put your career at risk the moment you crossed a line with a client.”
His face flushed. “I did not harass you.”
She met his eyes. “You touched me without consent.”
He stood too. “That’s your interpretation.”
“That’s reality,” Sarah replied.
There was a tense silence.
Crude broke it. “So you’re saying you told no one?”
“I told no one,” Sarah repeated.
He searched her face. “Then explain the message.”
“I can’t,” she said. “I didn’t send it.”
Crude exhaled sharply. “It mentioned details.”
Her heart skipped. “What details?”
He hesitated. “Things said in my office.”
Sarah’s breath caught. “That’s not possible.”
“Yet it happened,” Crude said. “Which means someone was listening.”
She shook her head. “I was alone.”
Crude watched her closely. “Were you?”
Sarah’s mind flashed.
Alex.
The way he always seemed to know when something was wrong. The way he watched, listened, protected.
Her pulse quickened.
“Who sent the message?” she asked quietly.
Crude hesitated, then said, “A young man.”
Her throat tightened.
“Describe him,” Sarah said.
Crude grimaced. “Tall. Calm. Intimidating without trying.”
Her hands clenched.
“He didn’t threaten me outright,” Crude continued. “He simply explained consequences.”
Sarah swallowed. “What kind of consequences did he mention and why can't you just feed me the entire details before I ask?”
Crude looked away. “Professional ones. He said something about my career. Well…he didn't say I shouldn't represent you in court anymore, I just won't stick around when I've been threatened.”
Sarah was losing patience now.
She whispered, “What was his name?”
Crude met her eyes again. “Alex.”
The room felt suddenly smaller.
Sarah sat back down slowly.
Alex.
“He contacted you?” she asked.
“Yes,” Crude said. “He made it clear I should stay away from you in the way he said I'd been close to you.”
“And that’s why you dropped my case?” Sarah asked.
“I value my license,” Crude replied.
She stared at the desk. “He had no right.”
Crude scoffed. “I could say the same about you accusing me.”
“I didn’t accuse you,” she said. “I endured you.”
There was another silence.
“Who is he to you?” Crude asked.
Sarah looked up. “That’s none of your business.”
Crude stood. “Then this meeting is over.”
“Wait,” Sarah said.
He paused.
“What about Joseph?” she asked. “My case?”
“You’ll need new representation,” Crude replied coldly. “I suggest someone without… connections.”
He walked toward the door.
“Crude,” Sarah said.
He turned.
“I never asked anyone to protect me,” she said. “But maybe you should ask yourself why someone felt the need to.”
His jaw tightened. He said nothing and left.
The door closed.
Sarah sat there, heart pounding.
Alex.
She hadn’t told him, she was sure of it.
So how did he know?