“This… this is some trick,” she stammered. “Alexandra probably… she probably forged something. James would never—”
“Mrs. Harrison,” Officer Martinez interrupted, his voice remaining polite but firm. “The documentation comes directly from the office of Margaret Sullivan, who has served as the family’s attorney for many years. We verified it independently. Miss Parker has every right to be here. Any attempt to bar her from entering her own property could result in legal consequences.”
“Legal consequences?” Lily repeated, eyes darting between us.
Victoria rounded on me, fury reignited now that she had somewhere to direct it. “You manipulative little—”
She took a step toward me, her hand lifting as if to jab a finger in my face, but Officer Martinez smoothly stepped between us.
“I suggest you step back and contact your lawyer,” he said calmly. “Any physical threats will be taken seriously.”
For a moment, the only sound was the distant crash of waves and the soft hiss of the wind moving through the dune grass.
“JAMES!” Victoria suddenly screamed, throwing her head back toward the house. “Get out here now!”
The front door opened again, slower this time.
My father walked out onto the porch.