Third Person POV:
Sasha's office buzzed with the energy of a new day. The morning sun streamed through the tall windows, casting long shadows across the polished wood floors. But Sasha barely noticed. Her mind was already deep in the details of her newest case, a case that, if won, could elevate her status even further—or destroy it completely.
Ashley Carter, sister of one of the most feared men in New York City, was in serious trouble. The charge: embezzlement. The evidence was damning, but Sasha had already detected inconsistencies, the kind that could turn a case on its head. Still, defending the sister of a feared man was a dangerous game, even for her.
Sasha gathered her briefcase and left her office, her stride purposeful as she made her way to the jail. This was where the real work began—getting inside her client's head, understanding her story, and finding the cracks in the prosecution's case.
The ride to the jail was uneventful, giving Sasha time to mentally rehearse her questions, anticipating Ashley's responses. By the time she arrived, she was a picture of calm, ready to confront whatever lay ahead.
* * *
Ashley Carter was younger than Sasha had expected. She was in her early twenties, with the same sharp features as her brother, but softer, more vulnerable. Her blonde hair hung limply around her face, and her eyes were red-rimmed from what looked like days of stress and sleepless nights. Despite her circumstances, there was a quiet strength about her, a determination that Sasha immediately recognized.
The jail's sterile environment contrasted sharply with the designer clothing Sasha wore, but she paid it no mind. The steel door clanged shut behind her as she entered the small room where Ashley waited, seated at a cold metal table.
Ashley looked up as Sasha entered, her gaze steady despite the tension in her posture.
"You're the lawyer?" she asked, her voice betraying a hint of doubt.
"Yes," Sasha replied, taking a seat across from her. "My name is Sasha. I'm here to get you out of this mess."
Ashley blinked, a flash of hope crossing her features before she steeled herself.
"I didn't do it, you know. The embezzlement. It's all a setup."
Sasha nodded. "I believe you. But I need to know everything—every detail, no matter how small. Tell me exactly what happened."
Ashley took a deep breath, her hands trembling slightly as she began to speak.
"I work for a non-profit—one that helps children in underprivileged neighborhoods. I've been with them for years, doing everything from fundraising to managing our finances. A few weeks ago, I noticed some discrepancies in our accounts. Money was disappearing, but it wasn't me. I reported it to my boss, and that's when things got strange. Suddenly, I was the one being accused. They found money in my personal accounts, but I swear I didn't put it there."
Sasha leaned in, her mind working through the information, piecing together a timeline.
"Did anyone else have access to those accounts? Your boss, perhaps?"
Ashley hesitated. "My boss... he's been acting differently lately. More stressed, and paranoid. But I can't imagine he would do something like this."
Sasha's eyes narrowed. "And the money found in your account—how much was it?"
"Nearly half a million dollars," Ashley replied, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Enough to ruin your career and make it look like you were planning to flee," Sasha mused aloud. "Who else knows about this?"
"Just my boss and a few close colleagues. But in our world, rumors spread quickly."
Sasha nodded, her mind racing. This wasn't just about Ashley; this was about power, manipulation, and someone framing her for a crime she didn't commit.
"I'll need a list of everyone who had access to those accounts and any communication you've had with your boss or colleagues since you reported the discrepancies."
Ashley quickly jotted down the names and handed the paper to Sasha. "Please, you have to believe me," she said, her voice cracking. "I didn't do this."
Sasha looked her in the eyes, her expression firm. "I believe you. Now, let me do my job."
A few days later...
Days passed in a blur of preparation. Sasha poured over the documents, late nights spent analyzing every piece of evidence, every statement, searching for the thread that would unravel the prosecution's case. She had found it—a series of emails between Ashley's boss and a shadowy figure, discussing the embezzlement and how best to frame Ashley. It was thin, but it was a start.
The day of the hearing dawned cold and gray, the kind of weather that seemed to mirror the tension in the courtroom. Sasha arrived early, her usual calm demeanor in place, but her mind sharp as a blade. This was it—the moment where everything would either come together or fall apart.
Ashley sat at the defense table, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her knuckles white. Across the room, the prosecution was setting up, confident in their airtight case. And in the back of the courtroom, watching with an intensity that sent a chill down Sasha's spine, was Lucas.
He was impossible to miss, towering over everyone else in the room, his presence a force of its own. His eyes locked onto Sasha as she took her place, a silent promise of retribution if she failed.
Sasha took a deep breath and began.
"Your Honor," she started, her voice steady, "the evidence against my client is circumstantial at best. While it may appear that Ashley Carter was involved in the embezzlement, the truth is far more complex."
The prosecutor, a smug-looking man in his fifties, sneered. "Circumstantial? We have clear evidence that half a million dollars was found in her personal account."
"Evidence that was planted," Sasha shot back. "I have here a series of emails between Ashley's boss and an unidentified individual, discussing the embezzlement and framing my client."
The judge frowned, leaning forward as Sasha handed over the copies of the emails. "This is new information. Why was it not presented earlier?"
"Because it was deliberately hidden, Your Honor," Sasha replied, her tone sharp. "These emails were only discovered after an extensive review of the company's internal communications—communications that were, I might add, suspiciously difficult to obtain."
The courtroom murmured as the judge read through the emails, his expression darkening. "This is highly irregular," he muttered.
Sasha pressed on. "Furthermore, I have evidence that my client's accounts were accessed without her knowledge. The money was transferred in a manner consistent with someone trying to cover their tracks, not with someone embezzling funds for personal gain."
The prosecutor looked flustered, quickly flipping through his notes. "Your Honor, this is a diversion. The facts remain that the money was found in her account."
"But how it got there is the real question," Sasha countered. "Ashley Carter is a respected member of her community, dedicated to helping others. She reported the discrepancies because she was doing her job, not because she was guilty. Someone else wanted to use her as a scapegoat."
The judge's gaze shifted from the prosecutor to Sasha, then to Ashley, who was barely holding back tears. "I'll need to review this new evidence before making a decision. The court is adjourned until tomorrow morning."
As the judge left the bench, Sasha allowed herself a small sigh of relief. It wasn't over yet, but the tide was turning. She glanced at Lucas, who hadn't moved from his seat. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes—a flicker of respect, perhaps.
The next day, the courtroom was tense with anticipation. Sasha stood at the defense table, her posture as rigid as steel. She had spent the night preparing for every possible outcome, every question the judge might throw her way.
Ashley sat beside her, anxiety etched into every line of her face. The weight of what was at stake hung heavy in the air.
Finally, the judge entered, taking his seat with a grave expression. The room fell silent.
"I have reviewed the new evidence presented by the defense," the judge began, his voice even. "And I find that there is reasonable doubt as to the guilt of the defendant, Ashley Carter. The evidence provided suggests that she was, indeed, framed. Therefore, I am dismissing all charges."
A collective gasp swept through the courtroom, followed by a murmur of disbelief. The prosecutor looked as if he had been punched in the gut, while Ashley let out a choked sob, covering her mouth with her hands. If she were to have been found guilty, she could have faced years of prison.
Sasha remained composed, though a wave of relief washed over her. She had done it. Sasha took a peek behind her to see a man sitting behind her and Ashley. She instantly recognized him as Lucas Carter. The most feared man in New York. Why? Sasha didn't know. How he was related to sweet Ashley, is what had her confused.
Lucas rose from his seat, his eyes locked on Sasha as he made his way to the front of the courtroom. He moved with a predatory grace, his presence commanding attention. As he reached Sasha, he extended a hand, his grip firm and unyielding when she took it.
"Thank you," Lucas said, his voice low, almost a growl. His eyes, though, told a different story—one of profound gratitude and something else, something darker.
Sasha nodded, her expression neutral. "Just doing my job."
Lucas released her hand and turned to Ashley, who was now standing, tears streaming down her face. Without a word, he pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly as if to shield her from the world.
Sasha watched them, a mixture of emotions swirling inside her. She had seen many families react to verdicts, but this felt different. The connection between Lucas and Ashley was palpable, a bond forged in a world of violence. She wished for the best to both of them before grabbing her stuff and heading home.