By three o'clock that afternoon, I was sitting inside the glass-walled conference room of Vance & Associates Law Firm downtown. My family's estate attorney, Arthur Pendelton, sat across from me, reviewing the police report and the clear photos of my bruised face.
Arthur: This is a clear-cut case of domestic battery, Clara. The police report is filed, and the temporary restraining order has already been signed by the magistrate judge.
Clara: What about the house, Arthur? Eleanor is still inside my home.
Arthur: The property is registered under the Sterling Family Trust, of which you are the sole trustee. Neither Brandon nor his mother have any legal ownership stake whatsoever.
Clara: He threatened to lock me out and freeze our joint bank accounts this morning.
Arthur: Well, he is in for a very rude awakening. I've already notified your bank manager. Since the trust provides ninety percent of the liquidity in that joint account, we have legally severed his access as of twenty minutes ago.
Clara: Thank you, Arthur. What is the next step for getting them off my property?
Arthur: I have an emergency sheriff's escort standing by. Since you are the property owner and hold a restraining order against Brandon, he must vacate the premises immediately. His mother has no legal residency lease either.
Clara: I want them out today, Arthur. Every single item of theirs packed and removed.
Arthur: Consider it done. The sheriff will serve the notice personally at four o'clock. Would you like to be present?
Clara: Absolutely. I want to see Brandon's face when he realizes his precious mother broke his golden gravy train.
At four o'clock sharp, two marked police cruisers and a silver moving van pulled up to the long brick driveway of my home. I sat in the passenger seat of Arthur's town car, watching as Deputy Miller and Deputy Davis walked up to the front porch.
The front door swung open, and Brandon stepped out, wearing a pair of sweatpants. He looked furious, but when he saw the two armed police officers standing on his porch, his face immediately tightened.
Brandon: Officers? What is going on here?
Deputy Miller: Are you Brandon Vance?
Brandon: Yes, I am. Why are there police cars parked in my driveway?
Deputy Miller: Mr. Vance, we are serving you with an emergency domestic violence protective order issued on behalf of Clara Vance. You are required to step away from the property immediately.
Brandon: Protective order?! That's ridiculous! She's my wife! She attacked me this morning! She smashed our dining table!
Deputy Miller: We have photographic evidence and a medical report detailing physical injuries sustained by Mrs. Vance, sir. You have fifteen minutes to gather your personal clothing and leave the premises.
Eleanor rushed out to the porch, clutching a cashmere cardigan around her shoulders, her voice screeching across the front lawn.
Eleanor: You can't kick my son out of his own house! This is a grand estate! Do you know who my family is?!
Arthur opened his car door and stepped out onto the driveway, holding a thick blue folder.
Arthur: Good afternoon, Mrs. Vance. I am Arthur Pendelton, legal counsel for the Sterling Trust. This property belongs exclusively to Clara Sterling.
Eleanor: That girl doesn't own anything! My son pays the bills here!
Arthur: Your son has paid zero dollars in property taxes or mortgage payments over the last thirty-six months. The Sterling Trust covers every expense. Furthermore, Mrs. Vance, you are currently trespassing on private corporate property.
Brandon: Arthur, wait! Let me talk to Clara! Where is she?!
I opened the rear door of the car and stepped out onto the driveway, standing beside Arthur with my hands folded calmly over my purse.
Clara: I'm right here, Brandon.
Brandon: Clara! Baby, please! What is this nonsense?! Tell these officers to leave!
Clara: You told me to apologize to your mother this morning right before you struck me, Brandon. Now it's your turn to leave my house.
Eleanor: You wicked, ungrateful girl! You are ruining my son's career!
Clara: Your son ruined his own career the moment he laid a hand on me to impress you, Eleanor.