The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

He paused for a moment before saying, "I'd like to request bail for Ms. Cameron pending investigation."

The officer shook his head. "I'm sorry, Ms. Cameron is suspected of attempted murder. She's being detained for now, so bail isn't possible at this stage."

Attorney Whitman gave a polite, almost amused smile. "Attempted murder, you say? Has anyone actually died? Or is someone critically injured and fighting for their life?"

The officer hesitated, caught off guard. "Well, no, no one died. There were four people who suffered minor injuries."

Whitman, ever the consummate professional-logical, sharp, and stubborn- pressed on. "Minor injuries, you say? Have you obtained medical reports to confirm the extent?"

The legal definition of "minor injury" was very different from what most people assumed. In legal terms, "minor" could still mean something quite serious.

The officer, sensing Whitman's persistence, replied, "Not yet, but those involved are currently being treated at the hospital."

Whitman nodded thoughtfully. "My client, Ms. Cameron, is a public figure. She has a concert coming up soon. If you arrest her without solid evidence, her reputation will suffer irreparable damage. What if this is simply a false accusation-someone trying to ruin her name just before her concert? Who will take responsibility for the consequences?"

He smiled amiably, his demeanor unfailingly polite. "Ms. Cameron says she noticed the car in front of her had lost its brakes. She only wanted to help and prevent an accident. How does that become attempted murder? In fact, her courage in the face of danger-risking her own safety to help another-should be recognized as an act of heroism. But now, a good person is being wrongly accused of a crime. If word of this spreads, who would dare to do the right thing in the future?"

The weight of Whitman's words was enough to make even the officers feel the pressure.

He continued

"The root of this incident is that Mr. Burton's brakes failed. If Ms: Cameron had tampered with Mr. Burton's car, then bringing her in for questioning would be justified. But she was trying to save him. Detaining the rescuer while the real culprit walks free-how does that make sense?"

Even Stella found herself impressed by Whitman's eloquence. No wonder Rachel and Jasper always managed to get out of trouble with Haynes' help-he really was a brilliant lawyer.

Whitman had managed to reframe the whole situation: Ms. Cameron was no longer a suspect, but a Good Samaritan. The officers were clearly at a loss.noveldrama

"We're just bringing Ms. Cameron in for routine questioning. There's no intention to detain her," one of them tried to clarify.

Whitman's pleasant smile didn't waver. "My client risked her own safety to help others, yet now her actions are being distorted. I have reason to believe someone is deliberately trying to harm her reputation. Officer, I'd like to formally report this. Please investigate whoever is spreading these false accusations and trying to turn the truth upside down."

The police officers were left speechless, thoroughly outmaneuvered.

After a moment's silence, one of them finally said, "Since there seems to be a misunderstanding, perhaps we can sit down together and talk this through. If the other party is willing to withdraw their complaint, Ms. Cameron won't have to undergo further questioning."

In other words, they were proposing mediation.

Whitman looked to Haynes, who gave a subtle nod of agreement. Whitman then

replied, “Very well. But before that, may my client finish receiving medical attention?"