Read Online Unchained Memories by Maria Imbalzano - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Maria Imbalzano
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defendants in our cases have ever admitted to negligence. They usually argue there was a sudden event that couldn’t have been anticipated or planned for. Of course, they have loads of time, after the tragedy, to come up with excuses for having failed to appreciate the potential problem. When we sue them for their mistakes, they look at us as if we’re the sharks. I, for one, will never be swayed by their blame-shifting tactics. And I never assume they wonder if they did the wrong thing.”
A direct and cutting stab at Charlotte.
The scowl on Brad’s face and the venom in his voice advised her to keep any empathy for doctors to herself.
Could Annie be right? Was he a cold-hearted soul? Was his only goal to beat the other side and get as much money as possible? He rarely talked about their clients as people. They were victims or plaintiffs. Oh, he knew the facts of each case like the back of his hand. But he never spoke of their clients’ losses with sympathy. At least not around the office. Instead, he used medical terms and legalese, as if arguing his case to the Supreme Court. When he did get passionate about a case, it was a rant about the negligent doctor and not about the trauma to the patient.
Charlotte had originally thought his outside surface was impenetrable for show. He hid the fact he truly cared about his clients behind his tough litigator persona. For he couldn’t possibly be such a stellar malpractice attorney if he didn’t care. And there was no doubt Brad was brilliant in representing plaintiffs. He had an uncanny sense that allowed him to hone in on the cases to accept. More often than not, he was able to prove the defendant doctor should have known the potential risks during surgery, or should have at least anticipated those risks, in order to avoid the resulting injury.
Yet, Charlotte couldn’t shake the discomfort penetrating her being over Brad’s apparent malevolence for doctors. Brad didn’t even pretend to see the other side. Settlements came from compromise and giving due consideration to the merits of their adversary’s defense. Given his clear abhorrence of the medical profession, she couldn’t imagine Brad even listening to the position of the unlucky doctor who happened to be the defendant in one of his cases.
Brad broke into her thoughts. “I noticed your usual spark is missing when we talk about this case. Do you have a problem with it?”
Charlotte inhaled. Damn. “No. It’s not that. It’s just that it’s against Nassau General. I was a patient there for quite a while after my parents died. I got to know some of the staff fairly well.”
“If you have any warm, fuzzy feelings for those doctors, you better get over them. You have a client to represent and your loyalty is to her. If I see one compromise made by you because of your past connections, it won’t bode well for you.”
Charlotte nodded, feeling the chill of his words reach her bones. If she’d had any question about Brad’s human empathy, it had become perfectly clear that gene was missing.
Chapter Seven
Rubbing her eyes, Charlotte glanced at the clock on her desk. Almost eight. Tired and hungry, she turned toward her computer and logged off, as she slipped her feet into the discarded heels under her desk. When she looked up, a more than welcome surprise stood in her doorway.
“Clay, what are you doing here?” A dizzying current raced through her, and she couldn’t help the smile igniting at the sight of the handsome figure holding a single yellow rose.
“I came to take you away from all this.” He gestured around her office before moving toward her and handing her the rose. “Mademoiselle.”
Charlotte gave him a questioning look.
“It’s an apology rose. We got a little off track last night.”
“Thank you.” She inhaled its sweet fragrance, as a rush of joy bubbled through her. Then she laid the rose over a pile of papers on her desk. “It’s beautiful.”
“Generally, you place a
A direct and cutting stab at Charlotte.
The scowl on Brad’s face and the venom in his voice advised her to keep any empathy for doctors to herself.
Could Annie be right? Was he a cold-hearted soul? Was his only goal to beat the other side and get as much money as possible? He rarely talked about their clients as people. They were victims or plaintiffs. Oh, he knew the facts of each case like the back of his hand. But he never spoke of their clients’ losses with sympathy. At least not around the office. Instead, he used medical terms and legalese, as if arguing his case to the Supreme Court. When he did get passionate about a case, it was a rant about the negligent doctor and not about the trauma to the patient.
Charlotte had originally thought his outside surface was impenetrable for show. He hid the fact he truly cared about his clients behind his tough litigator persona. For he couldn’t possibly be such a stellar malpractice attorney if he didn’t care. And there was no doubt Brad was brilliant in representing plaintiffs. He had an uncanny sense that allowed him to hone in on the cases to accept. More often than not, he was able to prove the defendant doctor should have known the potential risks during surgery, or should have at least anticipated those risks, in order to avoid the resulting injury.
Yet, Charlotte couldn’t shake the discomfort penetrating her being over Brad’s apparent malevolence for doctors. Brad didn’t even pretend to see the other side. Settlements came from compromise and giving due consideration to the merits of their adversary’s defense. Given his clear abhorrence of the medical profession, she couldn’t imagine Brad even listening to the position of the unlucky doctor who happened to be the defendant in one of his cases.
Brad broke into her thoughts. “I noticed your usual spark is missing when we talk about this case. Do you have a problem with it?”
Charlotte inhaled. Damn. “No. It’s not that. It’s just that it’s against Nassau General. I was a patient there for quite a while after my parents died. I got to know some of the staff fairly well.”
“If you have any warm, fuzzy feelings for those doctors, you better get over them. You have a client to represent and your loyalty is to her. If I see one compromise made by you because of your past connections, it won’t bode well for you.”
Charlotte nodded, feeling the chill of his words reach her bones. If she’d had any question about Brad’s human empathy, it had become perfectly clear that gene was missing.
Chapter Seven
Rubbing her eyes, Charlotte glanced at the clock on her desk. Almost eight. Tired and hungry, she turned toward her computer and logged off, as she slipped her feet into the discarded heels under her desk. When she looked up, a more than welcome surprise stood in her doorway.
“Clay, what are you doing here?” A dizzying current raced through her, and she couldn’t help the smile igniting at the sight of the handsome figure holding a single yellow rose.
“I came to take you away from all this.” He gestured around her office before moving toward her and handing her the rose. “Mademoiselle.”
Charlotte gave him a questioning look.
“It’s an apology rose. We got a little off track last night.”
“Thank you.” She inhaled its sweet fragrance, as a rush of joy bubbled through her. Then she laid the rose over a pile of papers on her desk. “It’s beautiful.”
“Generally, you place a
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