America 1929: John F. Kennedy, the Great Writer

In the conference room of the New York Herald, Isabella convened the legal team sent by the Harrison family.

Three lawyers dressed in sharp suits sat around the conference table.

The leader was a man in his fifties named Charles Winston, an elite lawyer handpicked by Elizabeth.

"Mr. Winston, you are aware of the previous situation. The New York Daily's allegations against Mr. Kennedy are utterly defamatory. We intend to take legal action against this."

Isabella pushed a stack of documents in front of him, her voice soft yet firm.

Winston carefully reviewed the documents, and after a moment, he looked up and said:

"Ms. Harrison, from a legal standpoint, our case is very promising. The article contains numerous obvious false statements, and they have failed to provide any evidence to support them."

"When can we file a lawsuit?" Isabella asked.

Winston explained, "Procedure dictates that we need to send a lawyer's letter first, giving them a chance to respond. If they refuse to apologize or settle, then we will formally file a lawsuit."

Isabella nodded: "Okay, then let's send them a lawyer's letter."

Winston was about to take out the sample lawyer's letter he had prepared earlier when Isabella gently raised her hand, signaling him to wait a moment.

She lowered her head slightly, her gaze falling on the notebook in front of her. When she looked up again, her amber eyes were unusually focused.

Her usual awkwardness in social situations disappeared, replaced by the calmness and sharpness unique to a law school graduate.

"Mr. Winston, I feel there are a few procedural points to consider before sending the lawyer's letter."

Her voice rose, completely different from her usual self.

"First, should we explicitly cite the potential fraud claim in the lawyer's letter? Second, in addition to the New York Daily News Company, should the article's author and the person directly responsible be listed as recipients? Third, regarding the amount of compensation sought, is the basis for the $50,000 claim sufficient, and do we need to prepare precedents from similar cases to support it?"

The meeting room fell silent for a few seconds. Winston and his assistant exchanged a slightly surprised glance.

They knew that Miss Harrison was a law school graduate, but they didn't expect her to be so knowledgeable about practical details.

"Your points are very professional, Miss Harrison."

Winston leaned forward slightly, his attitude noticeably more serious than before.

"Regarding the fraud charge, the evidence is currently insufficient, and raising it in a lawyer's letter might be too aggressive, but we can consider it as an alternative strategy in subsequent litigation. As for service of process and the basis for claims, we will handle them properly."

"I understand," Isabella said softly, her fingers unconsciously twirling the pen.

"Just considering the tactics they might employ... for example, could they use procedural delays, or try to transfer the case to a court that would be more favorable to them?"

As she spoke, her voice lowered again, as if she were talking to herself.

In fact, this was a common practice in legal circles at the time, known as "judge selection".

Some lawyers will go to great lengths to get their cases to a particular judge, simply because they know that judge is more likely to agree with their side's point of view.

"Your concerns are valid. We will ensure that the procedures are flawless," Winston replied cautiously.

At 3 p.m., Winston arrived at the New York Daily News building with two assistants.

The receptionist looked a little nervous when she saw the three lawyers: "May I ask what brings you here?"

"We are the Harrison family's legal counsel," Winston said, handing over his business card.

"We need to see Mr. Hearst; we have important legal documents to serve."

The receptionist took the business card, glanced at it, and said, "Please wait a moment, I'll go and inform them."

She picked up the phone and dialed the editor-in-chief's office.

A few minutes later, Thomas Duane rushed over. Seeing the three lawyers, he understood most of the situation.

"What's the matter, lawyers?" Thomas asked, trying to remain calm.

"We need to see Mr. Hearst," Winston said. "We have legal documents to serve regarding your newspaper's defamatory report on Mr. Arthur Kennedy."

Thomas's expression changed: "Mr. Hearst isn't in New York. He... he went back to California."

"When did you go back?" Winston asked sharply.

"Just... just the day before yesterday," Thomas stammered.

Winston exchanged a glance with his two assistants. The day before yesterday was the day the dockworkers besieged the New York Daily News building.

"Then, as editor-in-chief, can you accept this lawyer's letter on behalf of Mr. Hearst?" Winston asked.

Thomas hesitated for a moment, but ultimately accepted the thick document.

Winston continued, "This is our lawyer's letter. We demand that your newspaper issue a public apology within three days, retract all false accusations against Mr. Kennedy, and compensate us for defamation."

"If your newspaper refuses, we will file a formal lawsuit in the New York State court, seeking damages of $50,000."

Fifty thousand dollars. Thomas gasped.

"I...I will pass it on to Mr. Hearst," Thomas said with difficulty.

"I hope your newspaper will take this matter seriously," Winston said, turning and leaving.

After leaving the building, an assistant whispered:

"Mr. Winston, Hearst actually ran away on the very day the dockworkers besieged him."

Winston sneered:

"This shows he has a guilty conscience. He knows that what he did cannot stand up to scrutiny, so he chooses to run away."

"Would this be good for our case?" another assistant asked.

"Of course. If this matter goes to court, Hearst's escape will be used as evidence against him. The jury will think that an innocent person would not choose to run away."

"Now we'll see how Hearst responds. But I suspect this battle has only just begun."

Meanwhile, in the offices of the New York Herald, Isabella stood by the window. She held a copy of the documents Winston had left behind, her gaze somewhat unfocused.

After the lawyer left, she was the only one left in the conference room.

She walked to Arthur's empty desk, which was neatly arranged with only an old-fashioned typewriter and a stack of manuscript paper.

She could picture him sitting there, intently typing away on the keyboard.

Isabella sighed softly.

During the meeting, she could clearly and logically analyze legal strategies and procedural risks. But at this moment, she was more worried about Arthur's personal safety and the pressure this lawsuit would put on him.

These worries weighed heavily on her mind, but unlike legal issues, they couldn't be clearly outlined or resolved one by one, leaving her with a familiar and overwhelming sense of powerlessness.

I really hope I can help him in some way.