Be Straightforward
This transaction was supposed to be straightforward. He was expected to receive payment only after successfully assisting them in settling their disagreement. However, his demand for the entire sum upfront, before even going to court with them, should have raised suspicions.
Feeling deceived by his fraudulent behavior, they decided to take matters into their own hands. They never imagined the situation would escalate to such a level of retaliation.
Better Outcome
James and Linda Drake had hoped for a better outcome, but the past year had brought them many hardships. Their crops were ravaged by pests, their grandson suffered a severe accident at school and was hospitalized, and their pregnant daughter lost her job unexpectedly. These challenges weighed heavily on the family, making every day a struggle.
They knew that securing a victory was essential and were prepared to fight with all their strength. However, it wasn’t until later that they discovered the person they trusted to help them had instead exploited their vulnerable situation, adding betrayal to their list of troubles.
Confrontation
James and Linda, North Carolina farmers, faced a direct issue when they found their neighbor, Mr. Murray, digging on their property. Despite knowing each other for years, their relationship had always been strained, making a confrontation inevitable.
This discovery highlighted the simmering tensions between the neighbors. The act of digging, regardless of its purpose, trespassed on established boundaries and personal space, setting the stage for a potentially significant dispute.
Only A Fraction
The Drake farm was notably smaller than the Murray farm, with its area being only a fraction of the latter’s. In fact, the Murray farm was so large that it could easily accommodate the Drake farm five times over.
Over time, James noticed that his ten-acre property seemed to be shrinking. When he conducted a thorough survey of the land, he uncovered a surprising discovery that left him stunned and at a loss for words.
Gradually Extended
Over several planting seasons, Mr. Murray gradually extended onto James’s land. Because they had been neighbors for many years, James never felt the need to put up a fence along that part of his farm.
He never imagined a situation like this would affect him or his family. Yet, when he realized what was happening, he understood there was only one course of action to take.
Talking About The Murrays
James spoke with Linda for some time before going to the Murrays to talk about the matter. He was adamant, however, that they did not encroach on his land.
As opposed to being civil, they insulted James, claiming it was his advancing age that made him think the Murrays were taking his land. The fury in James' eyes was beyond measure.
Watched Passively
James refused to passively watch as the Drake farm was taken away. The farm was their lifeline—it provided food and clothing for the family, covered their expenses, and was their sole source of livelihood.
The next day, James sat quietly in the living room, deep in thought about their next move. After thirty years of marriage, Linda remained his steadfast partner, always ready to support and guide him. Despite their uncertainty, they faced the future together, unsure of what lay ahead.
Frustrated
James and Linda, frustrated by the Murrays' rude conduct, chose to consult a lawyer for guidance. Before taking legal action, however, they made one last attempt to resolve the issue amicably by visiting the Murrays and cautioning them about the potential repercussions if they failed to settle the matter as neighbors.
The Murrays, undeterred by the warning, showed no interest in compromise. Instead, they challenged the Drakes to take the dispute to court, signaling that they were fully prepared to let the legal process decide the outcome. The decision to proceed with litigation was final.
Scouring The Internet
James began his search for a skilled lawyer by scouring the internet. Understanding that opting for the cheapest option often leads to higher costs in the long run, he was prepared to invest generously to secure top-quality legal representation.
After a week of thorough research, James discovered a lawyer who matched his requirements. Although this attorney worked at a modest firm in the city, he boasted an impressive roster of clients. However, there was something more to this lawyer that made him stand out beyond just his credentials.
Land Disputes
Many of the lawyer’s clients were dealing with land disputes, which was the main concern they brought to him. Reading their glowing testimonials gave James a comforting sense of hope and reassurance. The positive feedback suggested that this lawyer was effective and trustworthy in helping people recover their property.
James believed that if the lawyer could successfully assist so many in reclaiming their land, he would surely be able to help him overcome the Murrays. However, he soon realized that appearances could be deceiving, and not everything that shines is truly valuable or genuine.
A Bubbly Fellow
James and Linda booked an appointment with the lawyer. Their visit was short and to the point, and afterward, the lawyer even took them to lunch.
He was a bubbly fellow, very easy to talk to. He had something interesting to say about every topic James brought up and even had Linda laughing her lungs out with his jokes. The Drakes thought this was the man for them.
Settled Land Issues
The lawyer, Mr. Johnson, assured them they'd win the case. He brought out endless piles of files labeled 'Settled Land Issues' and plopped them before James and Linda.
"These are all the land disputes I've handled in my career," he said, dusting off the top file. "You can see that I'm quite a veteran." With a sly smile, he added, "Now, on the payment issue."
Rules And Regulations
The agency Mr. Johnson worked at had its policy regarding payment of services. There was the standard consultation fee followed by the actual amount, which was to be cleared after the case was settled.
It even had rates based on whether its lawyers won the case. But Mr. Johnson had his own layout planned, and it wasn't abiding by his agency's rules.
Cash Upfront
He informed the Drakes that he had this case all solved. They need not worry about court proceedings as long as they have their title deed.
Since winning the case was a sure thing, he asked James to clear the payment upfront so all parties could focus on the case. He was easy about the whole request, swinging in his office chair with a smile.
Run
James was ready to cough up the cash. But Linda didn't like this one bit. She suggested they leave the agency and never return. But James had seen all those 'land settlement' files on Mr. Johnson's table. He'd read the reviews on his website.
As far as he saw it, Mr. Johnson was the real deal. Would they ever find someone like him to represent them? He had to agree to his request.
Sending The Cash
James and Linda called their bank, digging into their savings to pay Mr. Johnson. But as soon as they transferred the money, everything changed.
Mr. Johnson, who had always been available to meet them, was suddenly ever busy. All the calls the Drakes made would go to the agency's secretary instead of him. But that wasn't half of it.
What's Going On
His cell, which he had graciously given the Drakes on one of their informative lunches, went straight to voicemail. James was beyond stunned.
He hoped Mr. Johnson was actually busy and wasn't avoiding him and Linda. Standing on the porch of his house, he analyzed everything that had gone wrong that year. He really needed this win.
It Gets Worse
The court date was swiftly coming up. But Mr. Johnson had not communicated much about how he would handle the case. He invited James for lunch but didn't show up, claiming that his boss needed him in New York for a new merger, whatever that meant.
He would bombard James with all these big words whenever James' calls slipped through the many wards he'd put in place. Something was terribly wrong.
It's Here
The court date finally came, and James and Linda went to court with their fantastic lawyer, Mr. Johnson. Opposite them sat the Murrays, dressed in expensive suits that James and Linda couldn't dream of buying.
The proceedings started, and Mr. Johnson fell into gear. James smiled inwardly as he saw the man work, glad he hadn't duped him and Linda. If only he knew what was truly happening.
These Things Happen
Mr. Johnson had withheld several pieces of information from James and Linda, misleading them throughout the three months they'd known each other.
So it didn't come as a surprise that they lost the case. But Mr. Johnson didn't look bothered in the least. When James confronted him, he responded with a shrug and a simple, "These things happen. It is what it is."
A Big Loss
James and Linda went home dejected. Not only had they lost part of their land to the Murrays, but they had also lost a hefty sum of cash to Mr. Johnson.
James sat silently on his porch, watching the sun set over his property. The orange-bronze light bathed everything before him, from the tilled land to the oak and hickory trees lining the farm. It was then that Linda approached him.
The Reality Of Things
Linda laid the facts before James. She told him he'd been blinded by Mr. Johnson's sweet words and had fallen prey to his tactics.
To her, Mr. Johnson saw them as old vulnerable country folks he could swindle. What made matters worse was that James had made everything easy for him. But Linda didn't come out here to kick James while he was down. She had an excellent way of getting back at Mr. Johnson.
Being Objective
Before Linda laid out her plan, she told James they might have lost the case, but they were still alive and breathing. She pointed at their beautiful property, dunked in the setting sun's light.
She reminded James that they were lucky. Even though their crops had failed, their grandson was in the hospital, and their daughter had lost her job, they were all still here. Shouldn't they be thankful?
A Tight Hug
But she also told James that they had never taken a beating while lying down. She reminded him of all the fights they'd won over the years.
James' eyes blurred with tears as he listened. But not a single drop slid down his face. He stood up and gave Linda the tightest and longest hug he'd ever given her. "What did you have in mind?" he asked.
Time For Revenge
Smirking, Linda hurried into the house, coming out with their laptop. She opened Mr. Johnson's agent website and went to the reviews section.
With her smirk turning into a grimace, she said, "Most of his clients leave reviews here after his services. The way I see it, we are his clients. How about we leave the most colorful review and show him how thankful we are?"
The One-Star Review
She wrote down what Mr. Johnson had done to them, including his response after James confronted him. She clicked on one star out of five and pressed send.
Seeing the one-star review float over the hundreds of five-star reviews made James smile. It stood out so much that he started giggling like a child. But then something unexpected happened.
Going Viral
The review got an upvote. James didn't know what that meant, but he hoped it was good. He was about to point it out when the number alongside the upvote sprung from one to seven.
Linda tilted her head. She'd seen it too. "What's happening?" James asked. "People like our review," Linda answered. The two had no idea what they'd just started.
A Different Side Of Him
The review kept getting upvotes as the night went by, and by morning, the number was in the thousands. James' phone started ringing insistently. Thinking it was one of the farm's clients, he picked up.
Mr. Johnson's voice came through the phone. But it wasn't laced with honey like usual. He was furious, calling the Drakes names and threatening them. He demanded they take down the review, or he'd sue them for defamation.
Go Ahead
James, who had been reading about how to get back at fraudulent lawyers, only smiled. "Go ahead," he said and cut the phone.
He told Linda about the call, and they agreed that the next step was to seek recourse in court. He asked Linda to get the laptop. He needed to update their review.
War
James added more words to the review, stating that Mr. Johnson had called to threaten him. He didn't reveal that he had recorded the call. He'd do that in court while thwarting Mr. Johnson.
A humble farmer, James only wanted to save his little land. But now everything had devolved to this. If Mr. Johnson wanted war, he and Linda would give him one he'd never forget.