He was the lawyer Grandpa had entrusted before his death, the one who held the will that would determine the fate of all eight properties.
According to the original arrangement, the will's contents wouldn't be disclosed until the day the redevelopment officially launched.
But now, I wanted to exercise my rights early.
The will contained a supplementary clause: if the heir—meaning me—determined that Oliver's branch of the family had severed familial bonds through their actions, I had the right to file an early petition with the Notary Office. Their gift entitlement would be revoked, and I would inherit everything.
The evidence required? Proof that they had "disregarded family ties."
And that venomous voicemail, Oliver's shameless threats, my father's helpless, broken voice—
All of it. Ironclad proof.
I dialed Tyler's number.
"Hello, Attorney Lambert? I'm sorry to disturb you so late."
"This is Hailey Finch, regarding my grandfather Isaac Finch's will. I'd like to activate the second clause."
"Yes. I want sole ownership of all eight replacement homes."
"I have all the evidence prepared. I'll come to your office tomorrow morning."
The next day, I took the morning off work.
Armed with printed screenshots of every chat log, every transfer record, and last night's call recording, I drove to the law firm.
Tyler was a man in his mid-fifties. He studied the materials I handed over, adjusting his glasses.
"Ms. Finch, are you certain about this?"
"Once you sign this confirmation, the will becomes legally binding."
"That means when the redevelopment agreement comes through, all eight properties will be registered solely under your name. Your uncle's family will have no claim whatsoever."
"This will likely infuriate them completely."
I sat across from him, gazing at the legal document that had been drafted long ago.
"Attorney Lambert, I've thought this through."
"Over the years, my uncle's family borrowing money and never paying it back—that's been the norm."
"I used to tell myself, they're blood relatives, help where you can."
"But this fifty thousand dollars opened my eyes for good. You can't domesticate wolves by feeding them."
"If I don't end this decisively, the moment the redevelopment money comes through, they'll only get worse. They'll bleed us dry."
"I can't let my father spend his final years being tormented by them."
Tyler nodded slowly.