As I turned away from Grant’s cold glare, I caught sight of the Abbots’ lawyer. I wanted to laugh at the incestuous nature of it all. Ben Hotchkiss was none other than Lacey’s father. I wondered if my high school boyfriend’s side piece would show up in court. Maybe she’d get her claws into Grant, after all.

I shifted my focus to the judge, a man who looked to be in his fifties with salt-and-pepper hair. His gaze held shrewdness as he studied the people before him. I only hoped that meant he could see the truth.

The opening remarks came and went, and once Crosby and Ben Hotchkiss got into the details of the case, I began to lose some of my understanding of what they were saying. The terminology sounded like an entirely different language. Grant sat at the table with their attorney but did none of the speaking, simply whispered in Ben’s ear.

“All right,” Judge Moore said. “I think I’ve heard enough for today. Mr. Hotchkiss, are you ready to proceed with the trial?”

“Yes, your honor. We wish to move through this process as quickly as possible.”

The judge nodded. “What about you, Mr. McCoy?”

“We’re ready, your honor.”

“Good. I’m placing you on the docket for next week. Any arguments?” Judge Moore lifted his gaze to meet Crosby’s and Ben’s. Neither said anything.

“We need to make a motion to have Kenna removed from The Gables during the trial and have a freeze placed on the trust.”

Grant whisper-hissed the words to Hotchkiss, but the judge didn’t miss a thing. “No talking out of turn in my courtroom.”

Caelyn stifled a giggle next to me, and I squeezed her hand hard. I didn’t want the man’s attention focused over here. But that’s precisely what happened. Judge Moore turned his eyes to me. “Ms. Morgan, you are currently living in the guest quarters, correct?”

“Yes, Your Honor.” My voice was steady, even though my hands trembled.

“I’m ruling that Ms. Morgan may stay on the property. There will be no removal of any of the belongings in the main house or any of the outbuildings. If you need to access the trust for any repairs or insurance payments, those will have to be approved by the court.”

Air rushed into my lungs as I took the first breath since the judge’s gaze had zeroed in on me. “Thank you, sir.”

Grant mumbled a complaint to Hotchkiss, but it was low enough that the rest of us couldn’t hear, and the judge chose to ignore it.

“Court is adjourned.” Judge Moore rose and headed for his private entrance.