Chapter 222 I am forever leaving the legal profession
Two days before Charlotte was set to leave the hospital, Frederick had a case at 10 AM. At 8, he told Chloe to keep an eye on Charlotte and call him if needed.
Chloe nodded. "I'll take good care of her!"
Frederick glanced at Charlotte. She was reading quietly, looking healthier and a bit fuller.
Even though she didn't seem to care, he said gently, "I'll be back for lunch."
She didn't respond.
Frederick smiled bitterly and left the room.
Cherie was waiting outside. "How's Charlotte?" she asked.
Frederick took the file and whispered, "She's better. The doctor said she can go home soon."
Cherie offered some comforting words.
When they reached the first floor, a bunch of reporters swarmed the black car, eager to interview Frederick. "Mr. Hawkins, this is your first case since your wife's accident. Will it affect your performance? Do you still think you can keep your undefeated record?"
Frederick ignored them and got into the car.
Cherie blocked the reporters, muttering to herself about how annoying they were.
Cherie worried Frederick might not do well today, knowing how much he valued his reputation. But Frederick seemed calm.
"Drive," he told the driver.
At 9 AM, they arrived at the Syeattel courthouse. His client was waiting, and the opposing lawyer looked ready for a fight.
As Frederick got out, he was greeted by a bouquet of flowers.
Katherine, looking more delicate than the roses, stood there shyly. After her marriage, she realized Frederick was the one she truly wanted. She knew his marriage was rocky and thought if she was patient, he'd come back to her.
"Frederick, I hope you win today!" she said.
Frederick frowned. He had helped her with her case before, just doing his job. 'What is Katherine up to now?' he wondered.
Katherine, full of charm, said, "When you win, we'll celebrate with champagne. I'm all yours!"
The media buzzed. Was this a public confession? Was Frederick about to have a marital crisis, with Katherine as the new wife?
Everyone waited for Frederick's response.
He spoke into a microphone, "I have a wife. I don't intend to cheat. Miss Mitchell, please respect yourself."
Then he walked straight into the courtroom.
Katherine, furious, threw the bouquet on the ground. The media laughed at her.
Trying to save face, she said, "We were childhood sweethearts. No one can replace me in his heart!"
The media took notes. This was going to be big news.
Cherie shook her head at Katherine. She was pushing Frederick's limits.
At 10 AM, the court session started on time. Frederick performed flawlessly.
By 11 AM, the outcome was clear.
Frederick kept his undefeated record, and his photo would be all over the media tomorrow.
At 11:10, the opposing side asked for a recess to discuss a settlement.
As the judge announced it, Frederick got a call from Chloe, who was crying uncontrollably. "Frederick, Charlotte is missing! I can't find her anywhere. I just went to the bathroom for a moment. I didn't mean to lose her. Could something have happened to her?"
Frederick calmly said, "I'll be right back," and hung up.
Under countless gazes, Frederick stood up.
He looked at the displeased judge and said hoarsely, "My wife needs me. I request to change the lawyer for my client."
The judge, his client, and everyone else were stunned.
The case was almost over in just another half hour, and Frederick would keep his undefeated record, remaining a legend in the legal world. What was he doing?
The judge's facial muscles twitched, and he coughed lightly. "Mr. Hawkins, have you thought this through? Leaving now will result in a two-year suspension of your license. You won't be able to stand in court for the next two years!"
Frederick was already walking out.
He paused and said lightly, "Not just two years. From today, I am permanently leaving the legal profession."
The media went wild!
The case itself was no longer important; everyone's focus was on Frederick's decision.
Frederick, a legal legend, was quitting.
Was this April Fool's Day?
Behind him, Katherine almost lost it. Did Frederick know what he was doing? Just because Charlotte was missing, he was quitting the legal profession? How could he do this? How could he humiliate her like this?
Frederick walked quickly, with Cherie following, mourning that she would have to start learning again.
Outside, reporters surrounded the car so tightly it couldn't start.
Frederick held onto the car door and softly said, "My wife is missing, and I need to find her now. I used to think the courtroom was the most important place in my life, but now I realize that family is what I truly want. I love my wife very much."
After saying that, he got into the car.
The reporters slowly dispersed, making way.
Everyone was silent, shocked by his decision.
As Frederick left, he thought he would feel reluctant. But he didn't, because he knew he was heading towards the most important person in his life, who had lost the chance to become a top pianist one day and protected little Lola with her life in another.
He could also give up what he loved. He would never let her face her sadness alone again.
Behind him, Katherine screamed hysterically.
Countless eyes looked at her with disdain.
It turned out Frederick truly loved his wife, while Katherine was just clinging on, trying to ruin someone else's family.
Later, manipulated by someone with an agenda, a large number of indecent photos of Katherine were exposed, and she went from being seen as a pure girl to having a new nickname: the "pure prostitute."
Frederick's exit from the legal profession caused a huge stir.
He refused all interviews and had the driver take him to the Hawkins family cemetery.
Sure enough, Charlotte was there, wearing her hospital gown, standing quietly.
Frederick walked over gently. Charlotte seemed to guess it was him and softly said, "Today marks one month since Lola was born."
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