Chapter 10 — The Family Lawyer Arrives
# The Glass of Orange Juice
## Chapter 10 — The Family Lawyer Arrives
Benjamin Lawson had represented the Brooks family for more than thirty years.
He knew every trust.
Every property record.
Every legal agreement Helen and her late husband had ever signed.
He placed a thick leather folder onto Daniel's conference table.
"Helen prepared these documents after her stroke."
Daniel looked surprised.
"My mother?"
Benjamin nodded.
"I advised her to plan for every possibility."
Inside the folder were updated estate documents.
Medical directives.
Power-of-attorney records.
And one sealed letter.
Benjamin carefully opened it.
Helen's shaky signature appeared at the bottom.
"If my son ever discovers that I am being mistreated..."
"I ask him to believe Emma."
Daniel slowly lowered the letter.
Benjamin continued reading.
"Emma Carter has served this family with honesty for two decades."
"If my voice ever becomes too weak to defend myself..."
"Let hers speak for me."
Daniel looked toward Emma.
She immediately began crying.
Benjamin closed the letter.
"There is one final document."
He placed it before Daniel.
"If evidence proves intentional abuse against Helen Brooks..."
"Victoria Brooks shall immediately lose every legal claim to the Brooks family estate."
Silence filled the room.
Daniel slowly signed the authorization requesting formal legal proceedings.
Upstairs...
Victoria watched through the balcony railing.
She didn't know what papers had been signed.
But she knew one thing.
Her future inside Brooks Manor was slipping away.
