Chapter 6 - The Counterattack
Three days after the repossession, I was sitting in my corporate office in downtown Los Angeles when my desk phone rang.
I picked it up. “Emily Vance.”
“Miss Vance, this is Arthur Pendelton from Pendelton & Associates,” a stern, legalistic voice announced. “I am representing Mrs. Margaret Caldwell and Mr. Daniel Caldwell.”
I rested my pen on the desk. “Good afternoon, Mr. Pendelton. How can I help you?”
“My clients are filing an emergency injunction against you for property damage, conversion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress,” Pendelton stated sharply. “You unlawfully entered my client’s residence and removed fixtures and personal items, leaving an elderly woman without basic living amenities. We are demanding the immediate return of all property plus $250,000 in damages.”
I didn't panic. I opened my email inbox and pulled up the contact file for my personal attorney, Sarah Jenkins—one of the top asset protection lawyers in Southern California.
“Mr. Pendelton,” I said calmly into the receiver. “I suggest you review California Civil Code Section 1590 before you file anything.”
There was a brief silence on the other end of the line.
“Civil Code 1590 clearly states,” I continued smoothly, “that where a gift of real or personal property is made on the basis or assumption that the parties will be married, and the donee refuses to enter into the marriage, the donor may recover such gift. Your client locked me out of the wedding venue, effectively breaching the marriage agreement. Furthermore, my entry to retrieve my property was escorted by an active sheriff's deputy with documented video evidence showing zero property damage occurred.”
Silence stretched over the phone line.
“I am cc’ing my attorney, Sarah Jenkins, on this call,” I added as Sarah joined the conference line.
“Good afternoon, Arthur,” Sarah’s sharp voice cut through the speaker. “If you file that frivolous injunction, my client will immediately countersue for fraud, unjust enrichment, and full reimbursement for structural renovation labor costs totaling $45,000 USD. We also have full video recording of Mrs. Caldwell stating on the wedding day that my client was intentionally barred from entering.”
Pendelton cleared his throat awkwardly. “I... I see. My clients did not inform me of a police escort.”
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“They didn't inform you because they are accustomed to lying to get what they want,” Sarah said coldly. “Send us your formal filing, Arthur. We look forward to taking this to a jury trial.”
Pendelton hung up the phone within ten seconds.
