This is a pretty decent chapter that has a couple of interesting moments in it. I was surprised that the trial moved so quickly. I have no idea if the way it was presented was true to life, but it felt like it was (or at least followed the same formula and pacing that we see in telelvision law dramas). What I couldn't quite figure out was what the key takaway was supposed to be...
- Elsa's capability as a lawyer? She came accross as good, but not amazing. She even admitted to making rookie mistakes during the trial but got lucky with the outcomes.
- The emotions of going up against her ex friend/lover? That didn't really come through either, other than a "oh well" footnote.
- I also considered that it might be an expose on coversion therapy, but considering the primary audience for this story, probably unneccesary.
That entire train of thought leaves me with one conclusion - this is a setup chapter! Something BIG is going to happen in the future, and we will all look back and go "Oh, I remember that!" (At least once with every story I have to try and guess where the author is headed. My track record? Horrible... but it's fun to speculate!)
Good solid writing in this chapter. I really appreciate the little details in it, like "Courtroom 2B". I also love the fact that you title your chapters. Not all authors will do that, and as the stories get longer, it's nice to have that little reference to find your place again (like when something BIG happens in the future).