Chapitre 5: Vance - 2.1
After another night's rest, my skin had shed its sunburned appearance and my arms were no longer sensitive to touch, so I decided to forgo the aloe Walters had sent me home with. It was time for breakfast. As I activated my stove, a spark ignited, signaling the start of my culinary venture. I began to craft a venison steak omelet, the rich aroma filling the kitchen. Concurrently, I started my espresso machine and set it for a potent quintuple shot to energize my morning.
The morning news played in the background, providing a soundtrack of current events as I enjoyed my hearty meal.
"During the Red Level event in Oak City yesterday, Colonel Crimson prevented Pitch Obsidian from unleashing atomic devastation upon the east coast. In an exemplary display of everyday heroism, a postal worker on shift that morning recognized Pitch Obsidian from computer-reconstructions of his potential appearance, unobscured by his usual cloak of darkness. The employee swiftly called in the tip to Colonel Crimson's Crime Center, leading to a confrontation with Pitch while police evacuated the area."
After savoring the last bites of my meal, I leisurely prepared for work. I selected a suit, coordinated a tie, and gathered my briefcase among other essentials for the day. Following a cab ride and a brisk jog, I arrived at the imposing steps of the Pembrose Building.
The crisp morning air filled my lungs as I approached the entrance, offering a refreshing contrast to the bustling city noise. As I stepped into the lobby, the familiar surroundings seemed to embrace my return. I exchanged nods with the security personnel, who acknowledged my presence with slight smiles, affirming my place within this professional family.
The elevator emitted a soft ding upon reaching my floor, and as the doors slid open, I was greeted by the hustle of the early workday. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the subdued murmur of colleagues discussing their projects. Guided by the plush carpet that muffled my steps, I made my way to my office, my mind buzzing with anticipation of diving back into work.
The secretary pointed me towards my workspace, strategically positioned close to the executive office. Upon reaching my desk, I discovered a small stack of documents awaiting me, alongside a note from Mister Pembrose that read: 'Welcome back, Vance. Let's meet after you settle in.'
As I organized my workspace, my thoughts drifted back to the recent tumultuous events—the explosion at the platform, my miraculous recovery, and the surreal brush with mortality. These experiences had instilled a renewed sense of purpose within me, fueling a drive to seize every opportunity, not just in my career but in all facets of life.
Hours flew by as I immersed myself in the precedents and case files laid out before me. Before I knew it, the office was emptying out for lunch.
In the afternoon, I made my way to Mister Pembrose's office. The room was bathed in the soft glow of sunlight filtering through tinted, ceiling-high windows, creating a serene ambiance.
"Vance, take a seat," Mister Pembrose gestured to a chair across from his desk. His expression was serious yet warm. "I've been keeping an eye on your progress since you submitted the insurance packet. Your resilience is indeed commendable. However, I want to make sure you are truly ready to be back. How are you feeling?"
"Better than ever," I replied with confidence, though mindful of his underlying concern. "I appreciate your concern, sir, and while it has been a challenging period, it has also clarified what I aim to achieve here and beyond."
Mister Pembrose nodded, apparently satisfied with my response. "That's good to hear. There's a lot on our plate, and your projects have been waiting. Let's get you up to speed."
The day continued with a transition to the expansive conference room, where polished mahogany reflected the subdued light filtering through high windows. The air buzzed with the low murmur of partners and associates settling around the glossy table, prepping for the monthly strategy meeting. As discussions about ongoing cases and client updates progressed, Pembrose suddenly turned his attention to me.
"Vance, given the rise of super-crimes in urban areas, we face new challenges regarding liability. How should the law address the liability of entities that inadvertently empower such criminals? Consider the Puritan Warehouse case, where the property owner was held partially responsible due to inadequate security measures."
The room fell silent, all eyes on me. I recognized the reference—a nod to the case of Kresbach v. Utovate Tech—and took a deep breath before responding.
"In cases like Kresbach, where property owners' lax security directly enabled criminal acts, the courts leaned towards partial liability based on the principles of 'attractive nuisance' and foreseeable misuse. However, with super-crimes, where the stakes are significantly higher, we need a tailored approach to 'foreseeability.' Just as in the TalkCorp v. Sunlight case, where the telecom company was not liable because the use of their networks in a super-crime was deemed unforeseeable."
Pausing to gauge reactions, I continued, "We could argue that entities should implement 'super-crime sensitive' security measures if their operations could reasonably be expected to be used in such crimes. This approach isn't about penalizing victims but ensuring proactive prevention measures are in place."
Mister Pembrose nodded thoughtfully, clearly pleased with my insight. "Excellent perspective, Vance. Let's delve deeper into this 'foreseeability' standard and explore how we might defend against or pursue claims based on these principles."
As the meeting delved deeper into strategies and hypothetical scenarios, I felt increasingly integrated into the fabric of Pembrose & Lafayette, eager to challenge myself with the next problem to arise.
Mister Pembrose halted the ongoing debate with a deliberate pause, tapping a dossier thoughtfully. "Let's consider a different angle," he proposed, scanning the attentive faces around him.
"Imagine a scenario where one of our clients' subsidiaries abroad has unintentionally facilitated the actions of a supervillain, thanks to their lax security protocols. This villain exploited their technology to enhance his destructive capabilities, causing massive damage in a foreign jurisdiction. The local laws are strict and include severe penalties for such enablement, yet the subsidiary operated within the legal confines of its home country's less stringent standards. How should we approach this from a legal and ethical standpoint?"
The room fell into a thoughtful silence, everyone pondering the complexity of the question. This challenge, blending ethical considerations with global legal obligations amidst superhuman chaos, often put our firm's capabilities to the test.
Seeing a moment to assert my understanding and expertise, I leaned forward, ready to address the group.
"Mister Pembrose, this presents a classic conflict between international law's reach and national sovereignty," I began, my voice steady with confidence. "The doctrine of 'extra-territoriality' may offer a viable defense by asserting that the subsidiary's actions were permissible under the laws of its home country. However, we also need to address the public relations and ethical implications by advocating for an international standard that balances security concerns with technological advancements."
Just as I finished, a senior associate, Clara, raised a point that introduced a layer of complexity to my proposal.
"Vance, while your point on extra-territoriality is well-taken, how do we reconcile this with the UN guidelines on transnational corporations and human rights? These guidelines suggest that corporations have a duty to prevent their operations from causing harm, regardless of local standards." She inserted.
Mister Pembrose nodded at Clara's interjection, signaling his approval for the challenge, and then turned to me, expecting a deeper dive into the issue.
I acknowledged Clara's valid concern with a nod. "That's an excellent point, Clara. The UN guidelines do push for a higher standard of corporate responsibility. This is where our strategy must advocate for a dual approach. First, while we defend the subsidiary's actions based on legal grounds of extraterritoriality, we must also work with them to establish a proactive compliance program that aligns with international human rights standards. This program would not only address the current legal discord but also set a precedent for future operations, emphasizing ethical considerations over mere legal compliance."
Mister Pembrose listened intently, his expression turning thoughtful as I outlined how such a program could mitigate risks and enhance the subsidiary's global reputation. After a moment, he leaned back, a small smile forming as he addressed the room.
"That's the comprehensive thinking we need. Vance has rightly pointed out the necessity of integrating our legal defense with a proactive ethical stance. This aligns perfectly with our firm's commitment to leading in corporate responsibility in the face of emerging global challenges."
His endorsement of my approach resonated around the room, and I felt a surge of accomplishment.
"Also Vance, I want you to sit in on a trial beginning tomorrow that I am personally litigating. Just to garner a sense of our standards for court room etiquette." He added.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
The_Finest_Author
The_Finest_Author I re-edited the previous chapters to better align with my vision for this project. Mostly the changes are stylistic, but I did add a few extra details to set up later events.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
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