Trusting the Judge

The judge could tell Olive wasn’t entirely comfortable yet. He’d seen her cautious responses and knew it was crucial to get her talking without pushing too hard. So, he decided to switch gears. With a kind but firm tone, he reassured her that she wasn’t in any trouble. He made it clear he was just there to listen, letting her speak freely about her experience with the Quinns.

This shift in approach caught Olive off guard. She hadn’t expected the chance to share her real feelings, to be given that kind of space to express her thoughts about her future. Suddenly, the door to honesty felt wide open.