Chapter 5 - The Deceitful Aunt
The following afternoon, a court-ordered meeting took place in the Vanguard estate parlor.
A woman named Brenda Reed walked in, accompanied by Vance’s high-priced legal team. She wore overly flashy jewelry, expensive clothes, and carried a handkerchief that she used to fake dramatic tears.
"My poor, sweet niece!" Brenda cried out, reaching toward Josie, who immediately backed away into Graham’s arms. "I searched everywhere for her after my poor sister died! I can't let a wealthy man keep her away from her true blood family!"
Graham watched Brenda carefully. He recognized the type immediately—a opportunist paid off by Vance to act as a puppet guardian so Vance could search through Clara Reed's estate and secure whatever documents he desired.
"Ms. Reed," Graham said, his voice dripping with icy calm. "If you care so much for Josie, why didn't you answer any of the shelter's emergency calls when her mother was hospitalized three months ago?"
Brenda’s fake tears instantly stopped. She cleared her throat nervously. "I... I was out of the country on business!"
May you like
"You were living in a casino resort in Atlantic City, funded by a wire transfer from Vance Holdings," Arthur interjected, tossing a stack of financial statements onto the coffee table.
Vance’s lawyer stood up quickly. "These accusations are irrelevant! Under state law, blood relatives take absolute precedence over non-related guardians. If you do not relinquish Josie by Friday, Mr. Vanguard, we will have law enforcement remove her from this property."
