Chapter 6 - The Legal Battle Begins
With Jonathan’s lawyer, a formidable woman named Clara Vance, Joanna filed a formal lawsuit against Denise for grand larceny, fraud, and embezzlement of trust funds. They also filed a petition to strip Dorothy and George of their roles as executors of the grandfather’s estate due to gross negligence and complicity.
When the legal notices were served, the family dynamic shattered completely.
Dorothy showed up at Joanna’s house, no longer cold and proud, but panicking. "Joanna, how could you sue your own sister? Your father’s heart can't take this stress! We could go to jail!"
"You should have thought about Dad's heart before you helped Denise steal Simon's future," Joanna said, standing firm on her porch. "You stood by while she tried to destroy my career and my name. You're not protecting family, Mom. You're protecting a criminal."
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Denise, realizing her back was against the wall, tried to flee the country to Europe. However, Clara Vance had already secured a court order freezing all contested assets and placing a travel ban on Denise pending the investigation.
The drama hit the local newspapers. The townspeople who had shunned Joanna suddenly realized they had been manipulated by a high-society fraud. The orders for Joanna’s catering business flooded back in, along with dozens of apology letters from neighbors.
