Dad’s eyes flicked toward the camera.
“Evidence of what?”
I finally stepped forward.
“Of abandonment. Financial fraud. Attempting to claim property you don’t own. And, as of ten minutes ago, threatening to remove me from my legal residence.”
Mom gave a brittle laugh.
“Legal residence? Sweetheart, you don’t even have money for an attorney.”
Mr. Harlan opened another folder.
“Emily doesn’t need to hire me.”
He looked directly at Mom.
“Your father retained my firm to represent her.”
The hallway went silent except for the rain tapping against the windows.
Dad’s expression hardened.
“And the house?”
Mr. Harlan answered without hesitation.
“The house was transferred into an irrevocable trust six months ago.”
He turned toward me.
“Emily is the sole beneficiary, trustee, and resident owner.”
Brianna grabbed the banister.
“No.”
Mr. Harlan continued.
“The farmland, bank accounts, investment portfolio, vehicles, and business shares were assigned to her as well.”
Brianna stared at me.
“Grandpa wouldn’t give everything to her.”
Then Grandpa’s voice came from the tablet again.
“I gave everything to the only person who never left.”
Mom moved toward the study.
“That old man was sick. He didn’t know what he was signing.”
The deputies stepped forward before she reached the desk.
Mr. Harlan remained calm.
“He passed two separate competency evaluations. Both were documented. He also anticipated that you might make this exact accusation.”
He placed another document on the table.
Dad looked at it.
