The Real Garcia

The next morning, the firm’s conference room had been transformed. A red banner stretched across the wall: Upholding Fair Hiring, Defending the Rule of Law.

David Johnson and two other interviewers sat at the main table.

Daniel Harrington and Mrs. Harrington sat in the guest section, with Isabelle between them.

Journalists from every legal publication filled the room. Cameras lined up in two rows. Live streaming equipment blinked red.

I sat in the coffee shop downstairs and opened my phone.

The live stream began.

David Johnson straightened his tie and walked to the podium. “Ladies and gentlemen of the press, thank you for coming. Today’s briefing concerns former partner Evelyn Smith’s malicious rejection of an outstanding candidate during our recruitment process.”

He paused, frowning. “This firm has always stood for fairness and justice. After investigation, we confirmed that Ms. Smith eliminated the top ranked candidate, Isabelle Harrington, without valid reason. This is egregious.”

The large screen flickered to life. Isabelle’s résumé appeared. Top of her class at State University Law School, National Mock Trial champion, six papers in leading journals.

Journalists murmured. The live comments poured in.

“Those credentials rejected? Unbelievable.”

“Who does this Evelyn Smith think she is?”

Isabelle glanced at the screen. Her expression stayed serious, but the corner of her mouth lifted slightly.

David Johnson stepped aside and gestured. “Now, let’s hear from the victim’s family. Professor Harrington.”

Daniel Harrington stood, adjusted his jacket, and walked slowly to the podium.

“My friends.” He took the microphone, his gaze sweeping the room. “I came from the rural West. Because I know how hard that journey is, I understand the weight of fairness.”

His voice trembled with practiced sorrow. “But I never imagined that in this sacred profession, someone would trample fairness underfoot. Today, I speak not for my granddaughter, but for every student. Their futures must not be trampled on!”

Applause. People stood.

Comments surged.

“He’s right. Professor Harrington has given his life to legal education. A true educator.”

“My eyes are watering. You can see his hands shaking.”

“Evelyn Smith doesn’t belong in this profession. Revoke her license.”

Professor Harrington nodded, handed back the microphone, and returned to his seat. Mrs. Harrington patted his hand.

Then Isabelle was called to the stage.

She wore a black skirt suit. Her eyes were red rimmed. She took the microphone and paused for a moment, as if composing herself.

“Hello, everyone. I am Isabelle Harrington, the victim of this incident.” Her voice quivered. “From my first day in law school, I told myself I would use the law to help society. I worked hard for four years and achieved some results.”

She took a deep breath, her eyes growing redder. “But before I could even enter this profession, one person casually erased me. I don’t know how I offended Ms. Smith. Later I learned that in past interviews, Ms. Smith favored male candidates. Even when female candidates had better records, she often eliminated them on various pretexts.”

She paused, her fingers tightening on the microphone. “Perhaps she couldn’t accept another excellent woman in her firm. But my grandfather always taught me that the law has no gender. Women can excel. Women can speak for justice. What Ms. Smith did is an insult to education and an insult to every female job seeker.”

She lifted her chin. “Today, I stand here not for myself. I stand for all women who seek fairness.”

Professor Harrington nodded approvingly. Mrs. Harrington dabbed her eyes.

The comments surged again.

“Raised by Professor Harrington. This girl is so brave.”

“Evelyn Smith hates women? Disgusting.”

“Isabelle is a true advocate for women. Support her.”

Then, applause from the doorway. Slow, deliberate.

I walked in, clapping.

“Well said, Ms. Harrington.”

Every head turned. Cameras swiveled.

I walked to the front and stopped.

“You say you represent all female job seekers. Then tell me, when you were plagiarizing academic papers, did you think about the female students you stole from?”