Chapter 4 - The Legal Vanguard
The freezing rain had stopped by the time I reached my apartment, replaced by a cold, clear winter sky. I didn't waste time crying. I sat at my desk and called Julian Vance, a high-profile corporate and estate attorney who had been a close friend of my college roommate.
An hour later, I was sitting in Julian’s downtown office. He reviewed the documents from Grandma’s safe box with a meticulous, practiced eye, his pen tapping rhythmically against his mahogany desk.
"Emily, this isn't just a domestic dispute," Julian said, looking up with a grim expression. "This is felony bank fraud and grand larceny. The forged power of attorney your parents used to liquidate your grandmother's property is a federal offense. The title company is already building a case, which is why your father is desperate for that ninety-three thousand dollars to settle out of court before criminal charges are filed."
"Can they protect Sarah's wedding money?" I asked.
"There is no wedding money," Julian replied flatly. "Every dollar they have spent on deposits for this vineyard venue and the custom gowns came from your stolen education trust. If we file for an immediate freeze on their assets, the vendors will cancel the contracts by the end of the week."
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"Do it," I said without hesitation. "I spent years protecting their feelings while they actively dismantled my life. I want my grandmother's legacy restored, and I want them held accountable."
Julian nodded, a supportive smile crossing his face. "Consider the line drawn in the sand, Emily. I will file the injunction first thing tomorrow morning."
