It carried the faint smell of Earl Grey and the lavender she kept in her dresser.
I read her words into the record.
“I know my son will use every despicable tactic to strip this property. Therefore, this letter was drafted before a government inspector. I leave this land to marry my officer of justice because in this family only she has the strength to shatter her father’s hypocrisy.”
The words settled over the courtroom.
Gran had known.
She had known her son would weaponize the legal system.
Known he would manipulate witnesses.
Known he would do almost anything to take the property.
And she had built her defense before she died.
I placed the letter down.
Checkmate.
Foss backed away from the table as though it had caught fire.
He grabbed his briefcase and clutched it against his chest.
He understood with absolute clarity that continuing to support Dad could cost him his law license.
