“Actually,” she said, “Mr. Soryn is taking exactly the property he personally purchased, maintained, or inherited. I’ve prepared an inventory. If you’d like to contest any item, we can arrange law enforcement presence and a formal property hearing. It will delay your brunch, of course, but perhaps accuracy is worth the inconvenience.”
My mother stared at her.
I almost felt sorry for her.
Almost.
My father tried a different approach.
“Kairen,” he said, and for the first time in years my name in his mouth sounded uncertain. “Whatever this is, you’ve made your point.”
I looked at him.
“No,” I said. “I haven’t.”
Jace barked a laugh like he could still dominate the scene if he got loud enough. “What point? That you know somebody important? That you borrowed a car and hired a lawyer for a tantrum?”
Helena took off her sunglasses completely then, folded them once, and slid them into her jacket pocket.
“Borrowed?” she said.
Jace’s face shifted.
He knew who she was. Of course he did. Everyone who wanted money badly enough recognized Helena Vale.
He just hadn’t figured out where he belonged in relation to her yet.
My father swallowed. “Ms. Vale, if there’s some misunderstanding—”