“Pendelton,” Caleb barked, his tone cold and transactional. “I received the notification from the front desk. Where are the authorization documents? My legal team needs to file the probate claim before the courts close today.”
Arthur remained completely unruffled. “You are too late, Caleb. Your father’s estate is not entering probate.”
Caleb’s eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What are you talking about? He had no surviving spouse, meaning I am his sole heir. The downtown commercial lot reverts to me.”
“Your father was married,” Arthur replied calmly, gesturing toward me. “Allow me to introduce Nora Vance, Julian’s lawful wife.”
Caleb turned his head slowly, scanning me from my worn sneakers up to my yellow sweater. His gaze eventually locked onto the green backpack in my lap, then drifted to the red silk dress resting over my knees.
