Page 53 of Can't Take Moore
With his comb-over and rumpled suit, my mom‘s lawyer looked as though he chased ambulances for a living. In comparison, Ryland was the epitome of confidence, dressed to impress in a tailored suit.
If the visual differences between my team and hers were any indication of success, my mom didn’t stand a chance with her petition. Even the judge’s eyes widened when she scanned the courtroom as her clerk announced our case. “My understanding is we’re here today to hear a limited guardianship petition in regard to Vienna Frost?”
“Yes, your honor,” both lawyers confirmed.
I zoned out while they went over the legal red tape, snapping back into focus when Ryland patted my arm before standing. “Your honor, I believe that it’s quite obvious no guardianship is warranted here. Seeing as the petitioner has failed to bring a single medical professional or impartial witness to testify as to Miss Frost’s ability to make financial decisions for herself. In contrast, as you can see, I have a plethora of witnesses who are ready and able to testify to my client’s well-being, sound mind, and able body, along with her contributions to her community. One which I would like to point out is not even in this state since my client moved to Indiana a month and a half ago. In light of this fact, I question the court’s jurisdiction to make a decision in this matter
The judge pierced my mother’s attorney with a sharp look. “Has your client made you aware that Miss Frost no longer resides in my jurisdiction?”
“Ahem.” He cleared his throat. “I was aware that my client’s daughter purchased a home in Indiana as this was the source of her concern over Miss Frost’s spendthriftiness. However, she also owns a residence in Chicago, ma'am. As such, I respectfully argue that jurisdiction should not be an issue.”
The judge looked through the paperwork in front of her and pursed her lips. “The petition for limited guardianship was filed because your client’s twenty-two-year-old daughter bought a home in Indiana and moved there, while still owning the condo in which her mother and sister reside?”
“Yes, your honor,” Ryland confirmed.
“And there is no medical professional present today to testify as to Miss Frost’s inability to make financial decisions?”
“That’s correct, your honor.” Ryland withdrew a sheath of papers from a folder. “However, I am in possession of my client’s recent mental health screening that she underwent as part of her medical evaluations before competing in the Winter Olympics. They screened her for anxiety, depression, eating disorders, sleep, alcohol and drug use. No issues were found.”
“Please approach the bench and bring the report with you.” She cast a wry look at my mom’s attorney. “Both of you.”
I turned to look at Dean while Ryland spoke with the judge in hushed tones. When they finished their conversation, Dean beamed a huge smile at me and pointed toward his cousin. Ryland was walking toward me with his thumb raised in front of his body where the judge couldn’t see it. Feeling a surge of relief, I pressed my lips together to stifle my smile. At least until the judge handed down her ruling, and I couldn’t hold it back any longer.
“It is the decision of this court that we do not have jurisdiction to rule on a limited petition for guardianship of Vienna Frost.” She banged the gavel and focused on my mom. “I would also like to recommend to the petitioner that she consider the possible ramifications before refiling in the appropriate court, as the burden of proof lies with her yet there seems to be a preponderance of evidence against her. That is all.”
As everyone who’d come to support me rushed forward to offer their congratulations, I felt a twinge of sadness for my mom and sister. They were still seated at their table, abandoned by their lawyer who’d made a hasty exit as soon as the judge was done speaking. My mom’s shoulders were slumped, and she appeared older than she had when she’d confronted me in the hallway. Then she turned and sent a hateful glare in my direction, and my sadness was replaced by disappointment.
Even after hearing what the judge had to say, she still thought I was in the wrong. That I owed her something. I wished things were different, but I didn’t see the situation changing anytime soon. Especially when I followed through on my threat to fire them both. The ample severance package I planned to have my accountant offer them wouldn’t make a difference because it wouldn’t last them forever. The days of my mom and sister living off my money were coming to an end.
Luckily for me, I wouldn’t be around to see it. I didn’t belong in Chicago anymore. I hadn’t just found a new home when I moved to Mooreville, I found a family too.
Epilogue
Dean
“I’m sorry I couldn’t make it out to the Netherlands for your race.” Ryland grimaced, shaking his head as he took a sip of his beer. “I really wanted to go, but this case that I’m in the middle of is kicking my ass.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Vienna beamed a smile at my cousin. “I had the biggest cheering section out of any of the competitors. You Moores sure can be a rowdy bunch when you want.”
“You gave us good reason to be loud when you won, princess.”
“Still, I’d been looking forward to watching you race.” My cousin’s shoulders slumped. “It’s just this damn case. My client really is in a hell of a jam.”
Vienna patted his arm. “I’m sure you don’t have anything to worry about. You’re an excellent lawyer, and I’m definitely in a position to know.”
I was relieved to see her be able to speak lightly about what had gone down with her mom and sister. For weeks, she had refused to talk about what had happened, too hurt by the damage her only two living relatives had inflicted. And then her mom had made matters worse by making noise about suing Vienna for partial ownership in her brand. Ryland had a few meetings with her lawyer—not the same one she’d used in the failed guardianship hearing—and extended Vienna’s offer.
It was essentially a payout to make them go away. In exchange for the deed on her Gold Coast condo—which was worth much more than her mom or sister deserved—and a full year’s worth of their generous salaries, they had relinquished any claim to her brand. At Ryland’s insistence, they had also signed a non-disclosure agreement so they couldn’t publicly badmouth her. If they were still bitching about her ungratefulness after all that, at least they could only do it between themselves.
The money hadn’t mattered to Vienna as much as putting everything behind her for good. She still had more than enough to ensure she could continue to chase her dreams—and then some—and that was what was important to my princess.
“Thanks, but the person I’m going up against is damn good at their job too. Has a stellar reputation, except for the part where she’s been nicknamed the Ice Queen,” Ryland muttered.
“The Ice Queen?” Vienna’s lips pursed, and she tapped her finger against her chin. “Maybe I should have hired her to represent me instead. I know people probably don’t mean it in a nice way, but I like the nickname.”
“You would, being the true queen of the ice.” Ryland slanted a sly gaze my way. “I would’ve said princess, but I don’t think Dean would have appreciated me stealing his pet name for you.”
I glared at my cousin. “You’re going to make me rethink asking for your help with this.”
