“According to you, the two had “some sort of weird relationship” with each other, so apparently
Spencer invited Ms. Davies. Also, these accusations hold no water because Mr. Carlin, whose name is more than likely also on the title of the house, could have invited her.”

She then explained some ludicrous idea about how Ashley was indecently exposed because her shirt rode up once when she was wearing a half tee. Kristal continues to shoot her down

Paula looks flustered, trying to come up with a good excuse for her complaints. “Okay, well how about thievery? Once, during one of the said meetings, Ms. Davies picked a few flowers out of my flower bed and I’m certain she gave them to Spencer.”

“As long as the flowers stayed on the property while they were in her possession, you cannot legally claim theft. By the way,” Kristal adds with a smirk, “if you ask me, these allegations are quite petty.”

The red-faced judge Finnegan finally speaks up. “I agree! I rule that all charges, except for the two main ones, be dismissed!” he says gruffly. “Unless you can irrefutably prove to me within the next thirty seconds why they should be considered.”

Mr. Scott looks at the judge sheepishly. “I’m sorry, your honor.”

The judge fumes. “You should be, Mr. Scott. You, of all people, should know that the court’s time is not something to be wasted frivolously. I expect you to come prepared tomorrow with real charges, not this foolishness that you have presented me with today. Anymore trouble for you, and I’ll consider the defense attorney’s request to dismiss ALL charges. Understood?”

Step three: Get the prosecution on the judge’s bad side. Status: Complete.

“Yes, your honor, my apologies. This will not happen tomorrow,” he says, chancing an angry glance at Paula.

“Very well,” he huffs. “If there is nothing further, this meeting is adjourned until tomorrow at noon.”

Kristal stood triumphantly while the prosecutor limped away with his tail in between his legs.

“Wow,” I exclaim, forgetting our war for a minute, “you were awesome! You were all like, ‘nuh uh, you lyin’” and she was like ‘oh, hey look. I guess I am’ and you were like ‘uh huh. Damn straight!’”

She gave me a small smile but looked far from pleased. “They’re playing us,” she says simply. When she sees the confusion on my face, she continues. “They’re just trying to falsely get our confidence up for tomorrow, hoping that we come in too cocky. I’ve seen Avery Scott’s win/lose record, and it’s quite impressive. That was hardly his A game.”

I nod, starting to understand. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. My mom has connection; big boss, mobster man, high up, political connections. With her being in the medical field, she knows a lot of people from college and working all over the world and whatnot. I’m not sure what her plan is exactly, but to give you a clue, think of the worst thing possible that could happen, then times it by ten. That’s what we’re dealing with,” I explain.

Ashley leans in, wrapping an arm around Kristal’s shoulder. “You forget, Spence,” she tells me, “that we have connections too; big boss, mobster man, high up, political connections. We can take whatever they dish at us, and give it back tenfold.” The two older women smirk evilly and I return the look, at ease. How could I forget who we had on our side?

Suddenly, our situation didn’t seem as hopeless after all.