«Husband with mother decided profit off you.» «Thought he loved me.» «Loved your money.»
«Used you.» «Hurts realizing two years with deceiver.» Mom hugged daughter.
«But figured timely.» «Imagine if they succeeded, spent your savings.» «Left with nothing.»
«They come tomorrow.» «Promised bring lawyer.» «Let come.»
«See what lawyer agrees to such.» Friday morning, mom helped Valerie prepare for unwanted guests. Laid out all docs proving sole ownership of condo and money.
Noted lawyers’ and police numbers. «Main, don’t let them in,» mom instructed. «If enter, might provoke or search docs.»
«If insist?» «Let insist.» «We have rights; we’ll defend.»
Around one PM, doorbell polite, no insistence. «Valerie Hayes, Attorney Korolov.» «Represent Grant family interests.»
«Can talk?» «About what?» Valerie asked through door.
«Peaceful dispute settlement.» «Clients ready compromise.» «What compromise?»
«Let’s meet, discuss.» «Sure we find mutual solution.» Mom gestured daughter to agree.
«Better learn what they offer.» «Okay.» «But talk through door.»
«Won’t let in.» «Understand concerns.» «Agree any format.»
Steps outside. Besides attorney, Oliver and mother there clearly. «So,» attorney began.
«My clients know you refuse provide family funds for real estate buy.» «Not family funds, my personal savings.» «Disputed point.»
«Part income during marriage; can be joint.» «Can or not.» «Court decides.»
«Exactly.» «But lawsuit takes months, years.» «Money frozen meantime.»
«Suits me.» «Not my clients.» «They incurred obligations on cabin buy.»
«Their problems.» «No one asked promise others’ money.» Attorney paused, likely conferring clients.
«Fine.» «Clients ready concede.» «Take not full, only $30,000.»
«Won’t give cent.» «$20,000.» «Minimum to close deal.»
«Zero.» «Valerie Hayes, you put family in tough spot.» «Down payment made, contract signed.»
«If deal fails, Oliver loses $5,000.» «Let lose.» «Not my problem.»
Indignant whispers outside. Theresa clearly unhappy with talks. «Then,» attorney continued, «clients forced court for forced property division.»
«Go ahead.» «Not afraid court.» «And freeze on disputed assets.»
«Please.» «Do.» «You understand freezes your business plans long?»
«Understand.» «But better freeze than give to fraudsters.» Word fraudsters sparked outburst outside.
Oliver yelled «What fraudsters? We’re family.» «Family doesn’t forge docs,» Valerie replied. «That misunderstanding.»
«Misunderstanding is trying access other’s bank?» Theresa couldn’t hold, joined talk. «Listen, fool.»
«Stop stubborn.» «Give money, live peaceful.» «Theresa, watch language,» Valerie’s mom interjected.
«And who you?» mother-in-law surprised. «Valerie’s mom.» «Elena Hayes.»
«Won’t let you rude to daughter.» «Ah, mommy came defend daughter.» Theresa jeered.
«How old girl? Twenty-nine? Still hides behind mom’s skirt.» «Better behind mom’s than steal others’ money,» Elena countered.
«We don’t steal.» «Take what’s ours.» «You own not a cent.»
Attorney tried steer back constructive. «Let’s not personal.» «My task find compromise all sides.»
«I like only one compromise,» Valerie said. «They leave me alone.» «But financial obligations.»
«Their obligations, not mine.» Voices indignant outside again. Then Oliver pleading «Valerie, think.»
«Mother worked life, dreamed own cabin.» «Can’t you help kin?» «Kin doesn’t try steal savings.»
«Explained—misunderstanding.» «Misunderstanding month long.» «You planned operation long.»
«We wanted ask nicely.» «Nicely doesn’t mean deceive and coerce.» Theresa lost patience fully.
«All. Enough theater.» «Valerie, if not give voluntary, we’ll take force.» «Try,» Valerie challenged…
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