Chapter 266: Detective Chuck: Remember, He Dropped His Chair!
The judge's verdict caused an uproar.
In American law, a jury reaches a verdict, and the judge determines the sentence.
While judges do have the authority to overturn a jury verdict through a "judgment notwithstanding the verdict" (JNOV), they rarely exercise this power because the jury is randomly selected to best represent the American public; their decision represents the voice of the community.
And now, this supposedly compromising liberal justice had overturned the jury's unanimous decision to rule in favor of the defendant.
This wasn't upholding the First Amendment—it was a slap in the face to the entire jury system!
However, the defendant, Max Henson, immediately pumped his fist and cheered, then looked defiantly at Harvey and the completely bewildered plaintiff, Tim, sitting at the plaintiff's table.
"What happened?" Tim stared incredulously at Harvey.
He couldn't understand why, after the jury had ruled unanimously in his favor—all twelve jurors agreeing—the judge, who should have simply confirmed the verdict and moved to sentencing, had instead overturned their decision.
He was bewildered and deeply shaken!
"Don't worry, even judges aren't above the law. We'll appeal," Harvey said grimly.
Although everyone outside, including other lawyers, thought that Harvey Specter would stop at nothing to win, the truth was that he was far more principled than most attorneys, never wanting to cross ethical lines.
But now his opponent had not only crossed the line, the judge—who was supposed to be impartial—had abandoned all pretense of judicial integrity, which he found completely unacceptable.
"I told you no one wins forever," Emily approached and whispered. "You should have accepted when we offered our highest settlement. My tattoo tells me she'd rather see the legendary Harvey Specter again, not this version of you."
That's right!
Once she had actually won, Harvey's appeal vanished instantly in her eyes.
And a loser had no right to appreciate her tattoo.
"Pray," Harvey said, the grimace on his face replaced by pity as he looked at Emily.
"Pray for what?" Emily disliked that look. "You don't actually think the appeal will succeed, do you? The most important thing in the judicial system is professional courtesy. Haven't you heard that classic line judges say to lawyers? 'We don't appreciate being reversed.' Judge Abernathy's rulings are practically sacrosanct to other judges. It's an unwritten rule..."
"Is there still an unwritten rule?" Harvey chuckled darkly. "Destroying evidence, bribing judges... everything you've done has already shattered that so-called professional courtesy! Just remember—the instigator suffers the consequences!"
"We didn't!" Emily's face changed.
"That's why I'm telling you to pray!" Harvey stared into Emily's eyes. "I just hope you really didn't, because the happier you are now, the more miserable you'll be later!"
He simply didn't believe that a federal judge would do something so controversial without accepting a substantial bribe.
And every transaction leaves a trail!
Who could investigate financial crimes better than Chuck, the IRS consultant?
He'd been caught off guard because he never expected a judge to do something so foolish! Subconsciously, he believed judges weren't idiots.
But reality had slapped him hard.
There really were fools who could become federal judges!
"What do we do now?" Tim asked.
"Go see Chuck," Harvey said. "Let's hear what he has to say."
This was too sensitive to discuss over the phone; they had to meet in person. So he made a call, confirmed the meeting, and drove Tim out to Peaceful Town.
A villa on the hillside.
"What's going on here?" Harvey asked, seeing Chuck in work clothes, tools in hand, busy at work when they arrived.
"A carousel," Chuck said, continuing to carve.
"Shouldn't a carousel be made of metal?" Harvey laughed. "Just cast it."
"Cast metal is too cold and industrial," Chuck explained simply.
"Alright." Harvey shrugged, then began explaining the situation to Chuck and offering his analysis: "...We still have to appeal, but don't get your hopes up too high. Focus on investigating the judge's potential bribery and the evidence destruction. If we catch them on even one of those, they're finished!"
"I'll investigate," Chuck said, continuing to meticulously carve his carousel.
Harvey glanced at Tim and couldn't help but tease Chuck, who was focused on his woodworking. "Why are you doing this?"
"A gift," Chuck replied calmly.
"A gift?" Harvey laughed. "Whose kid is lucky enough to have you prepare a work of art like this carousel for them? It'd be a shame if it got damaged."
"A gift is just a gift. If it gets damaged, it gets damaged. There's nothing to regret," Chuck said, standing up and looking at the uncertain Tim. "Do you trust me?"
"You saved Jamie, you saved our family. Of course I trust you!" Tim said without hesitation.
"Since you trust me, don't overthink it," Chuck said. "Stay with your wife and daughters, live your life, and if you need to appear in court, then appear. Leave the rest to us—I won't let you down."
"Okay!" Tim smiled with relief.
Although he'd been somewhat tempted by the $3 million settlement Max Henson had once offered, he knew where his loyalties lay.
Simply because Chuck had rescued his beloved daughter Jamie, and indirectly saved his wife Shelly, he couldn't possibly betray Chuck's trust for money.
Besides, compared to money, he cared more about the lasting harm Max Henson had caused their family.
He remembered Chuck saying that $5 million was the kind of financial pain that would truly make Max Henson suffer.
Chuck lowered his head again to carve the carousel.
Harvey's phone rang. He checked it and saw his secretary, Donna, calling to remind him to watch the news. He opened the link to find Max Henson giving a triumphant television interview.
"...This is a victory for our First Amendment freedoms. I want to say to the so-called Detective Chuck, if he'd like to come on my show, I'd be happy to discuss this with him, and show everyone who the real fool is..."
Harvey showed the phone screen to Chuck, watching for Chuck's reaction, but Chuck remained calm, continuing to carve the carousel.
"He's being so provocative—aren't you angry at all?"
"Just a dead man walking," Chuck said, continuing to carve the wooden horse. "Would you be angry with a corpse?"
"Probably not?" Harvey chuckled.
He could tell that even if Chuck appeared calm on the outside, his mind was far from peaceful; it was likely a brewing storm, the kind that could drown the provocative Max Henson.
"Call him," Chuck said. "Tell him I agree."
"You're going on his show?" Harvey asked in surprise. "Why? That's his home turf. He can cut your mic anytime, leaving you unable to respond. You'll only get ambushed."
"I don't have away games," Chuck said flatly.
"Alright, since you've made up your mind, I'll make the call," Harvey said, impressed by Chuck's confidence, then shrugged. "I also want to see how you manage to turn his show into your platform."
With that, he picked up his phone and dialed Max Henson's number.
Max Henson was stunned when he received the call. He'd only made that casual challenge on camera, venting his frustration. He hadn't expected Detective Chuck, who had previously ignored him, would actually agree to appear on his show.
This thrilled him.
Because this meant he could not only humiliate the man who'd embarrassed him to his face, but also use Detective Chuck's fame to recover the audience he'd lost due to the scandal.
Win-win! He was practically euphoric!
So he immediately announced the news publicly, locking it in, and began preparing to unleash his most scathing attacks on Chuck during his show the next morning.
He'd originally planned to postpone it for a few days to let the hype build and help him regain his audience.
However, Chuck refused, insisting on tomorrow morning.
Although he vaguely sensed Chuck's eagerness for confrontation—and even though it was already afternoon and his show wasn't normally a morning broadcast—he didn't see a problem and readily agreed.
The news sparked a media frenzy.
Everyone who needed to know, knew.
The brilliant Chandler called immediately: "Chuck, why are you going to his place? If you want to take him down, come on my show!"
"Would he dare?" Chuck asked bluntly.
"...Okay," Chandler was speechless.
Max Henson indeed lacked the courage and confidence to come to Chandler's show and face Chuck on neutral ground.
As everyone in American media knows, whoever controls the broadcast has the unparalleled power to mute the opponent at any time.
"What are you doing?" Chandler asked curiously, hearing noise on the other end of the line.
"Making a carousel, painting it," Chuck said casually, brushing paint onto the horse's body.
"Is this a normal carousel?" Chandler blurted out, his journalistic instincts kicking in.
"There's nothing abnormal about craftsmanship," Chuck replied matter-of-factly.
"I knew it!" Chandler was momentarily stunned, then pressed on. "But you're too relaxed! You're going on his show tomorrow morning, and you're still working on this carousel! What's the deal... Okay, enough! Now tell me what makes this carousel special... no wait, I mean, a friend of mine is really curious!"
Chuck hung up the phone.
The carousel was intended as a gift for Professor Alicia Florrick, as a congratulatory present for her divorce.
Yes.
Professor Alicia Florrick had filed for divorce from her husband, Peter Florrick. Peter was still unable to accept it and was stalling, but the divorce was only a matter of time.
She would continue to be known professionally as Professor Alicia Florrick even after the divorce.
Unlike Chandler's mother, Nora Tyler Bing, who chose to keep her stage name after divorce because she was famous as Nora Tyler Bing—which involved many professional interests—Professor Alicia Florrick chose to keep the Florrick name because it had been her maiden name.
That's right!
Alicia and Peter had shared the same surname before marriage, but they weren't related. In modern America, marrying someone with the same surname was perfectly common and raised no eyebrows.
There were even amusing situations in large families where sons-in-law and daughters-in-law shared surnames with their in-laws.
As for why a carousel was the gift?
Childhood sweethearts—those who know, know!
The next morning, Chuck arrived at the radio station on time.
The Mad Max Morning Show aired early, prime time for commuters driving to work.
To regain his audience, Max Henson had already done everything possible to promote the appearance.
"Welcome to the Mad Max Morning Show! After a crazy legal battle, your Mad Max is back in triumph! It proves that freedom of speech is the deepest cornerstone of our nation—not just for me, but the judges agree too..."
Max Henson announced his victory triumphantly on the radio and began his scathing mockery.
"But obviously not everyone sees it that way. Now we're fortunate enough to have Detective Chuck, whom we've been trying to get on the show, right here in studio. Let's hear how he plans to challenge my freedom of speech!"
Chuck was already sitting in the recording studio, watching Max Henson, who was speaking rapidly into his professional broadcast headset while looking at him defiantly. Seeing Max gesture for him to speak, Chuck calmly asked: "Did Jeanette challenge your freedom?"
"What?" Max Henson's face changed dramatically.
"Jeanette Benson, your ex-girlfriend," Chuck looked at him steadily. "The woman who was ruled to have died by carbon monoxide poisoning in your house. Do you remember her?"
Stunned, Max Henson froze completely. He was only brought back to reality when his two sidekicks tugged at his sleeve, reminding him that he'd been standing there speechless. This was very bad, because he was always known for his quick wit and sharp tongue—silence was not his brand.
And indeed, his two sidekicks, who were always by his side providing backup, also noticed something was off and swallowed back the mocking laughter that had been about to burst out.
"Of course I remember Jeanette. Her death is a tragedy I'll never forget..."
"Is that so?" Chuck interrupted, stating bluntly, "So three days after she was ruled to have died in your home, you went on your show and relentlessly mocked her death, using that method to 'remember' her?"
"That's who I am!" Max Henson recovered, retorting sharply. "Everyone knows that! And whatever method I use, it's my freedom. Are you going to sue me for exercising free speech? What kind of detective are you, Chuck? You should be called the Freedom-Killer!"
His two sidekicks immediately chimed in, "That's his freedom too!"
"And in court, the judge will say, 'I disagree with him, but I must defend his freedom to attack freedom,' and then freely override his arguments."
"That's the judge's prerogative too," Chuck said quietly, watching as Max Henson avoided eye contact. The man known for his quick wit and sharp tongue was now speechless, unable to meet Chuck's gaze, while his two sidekicks pretended Chuck didn't exist and launched into their usual banter against him.
"So you freely changed your classic show slogan on the very day Jeanette 'chose suicide'?" Chuck asked calmly.
Max Henson, who had been leaning back in his chair and joining in his sidekicks' heckling, suddenly lost his balance and fell over backward.
Chuck calmly stated for the record: "I'll remember that. He fell off his chair!"
(End of Chapter)
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