Chapter 22 #2
William speaks up. “A relationship between an attorney and his client raises serious ethical concerns.”
“It can,” Spencer agrees. “Depending on the circumstances.”
“And these circumstances?” he asks.
“They do not affect the validity of the will. Or my ability to administer it.”
“You don’t see a conflict of interest here?” Mother asks.
Spencer reaches under the desk, putting his hand over mine. “I see a client who is fully capable of making her own decisions, and an estate being administered according to the terms set out by the decedent.”
William exchanges a look with Mother, and she nods slightly.
“Mr. Montgomery, I’m sure you’re aware that a personal relationship with a current client, particularly in a matter involving an active estate, can raise serious ethical concerns.
Not just in terms of professional judgment, but in how your actions may be perceived if this were ever reviewed. ”
“I’m aware of my obligations.”
“Then you’re also aware that it creates a potential conflict. You’re in a position to influence her decisions. If this were challenged, it wouldn’t be difficult to argue your judgment was compromised. And once that argument is made, the entire administration of the estate is subject to scrutiny.”
Spencer nods. And smiles. Why is he smiling?
He reaches for a manila folder in front of him, opens it, and pulls out an envelope.
I thought that folder was just for show.
The envelope has writing on the front in a familiar script, Beverly’s writing. I catch a glimpse of what it says.
In case of emergency.
“What is that?” I ask.
“I was directed by Beverly Kemper to read this letter if it became apparent the inheritance was to be challenged. As my duty to this estate, I will read this now with you all as witnesses.”
William nods. “Go ahead. But I would like a copy of that and the other documents authorizing all of this when you’re done.”
He slides the letter out, glances it over, smiles again, and then reads.
Spencer,
If you’re reading this, Faye has shown up determined to make my poor girl’s life harder.
Faye, you should be ashamed of yourself, but I know you won’t be. You think you’re helping Vivi, but she’s a grown woman who can help herself, and you should be supportive and loving, not demanding and cruel.
I know my words will bounce right off you. I blame your mother, you know, for always making you believe you were somehow above everyone else in the world, and when you finally realized you weren’t, you used your daughter as a plaything you could control to live out your delusions of grandeur.
I look over at Mother, trying to glean her reaction to Beverly’s words, but her eyes are fixed on Spencer, her features tight.
Spencer keeps reading.
But I digress.
Vivien, my darling girl, this is your final task. Now is the time for you to make a choice, purely for yourself.
You get to pick your final match.
Graham was never really the one I picked for you; it was just my way of getting you young people talking and out of your own way.
I didn’t want to pick for you at all, I wanted you to start picking for yourself. You don’t need someone to choose for you. You never did.
Choose your match, what you want for yourself, and the theater, and all of it will be yours.
In other words, any challenge to Vivien’s inheritance should be understood as contrary to my explicit wishes.
Beverly
I stare at Spencer, Beverly’s words ringing through me.
It all becomes crystal clear. And so easy.
I know exactly who I need to choose, and I hope he understands why.
He’s smart though, so I’m not too concerned.
I know Spencer. I know the choice he would want me to make, and it’s the same one I intend to make.
This was never really about romance at all, was it?
Beverly, you sly devil.
“I choose me.” I keep my gaze focused on Spencer.
William clears his throat. “While that is all very touching, I don’t believe it resolves the concerns we discussed regarding the administration of the estate.”
Spencer leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers in front of him.
“No, it doesn’t. Which is why I’m prepared to address them directly.
If you intend to challenge the will, we are prepared to seek a formal accounting of the financial entities retained to manage her earnings and trusts over the last fifteen years. ”
“That’s absurd.” The words are sharp and loud. Too loud.
Spencer slides a manila folder across the desk. “I disagree. We’ve already identified several irregularities we’d be interested in exploring through discovery, should this become adversarial.”
William picks up the file and glances inside, lifting his reading glasses to his face.
Mother says nothing while he reviews the contents. Her spine is rigid, her eyes shooting daggers at Spencer.
William removes his glasses and leans over to get Mother’s attention. “I would strongly advise against pursuing litigation under these circumstances.”
Her head whips in his direction. “You cannot be serious.”
“I am. Beverly’s intentions are clear. Vivien has satisfied the conditions laid out in the estate documents, and a prolonged dispute risks exposing matters I assume you would prefer remain private.”
Spencer lifts a hand. “As for the concerns regarding my role, I’m willing to step aside as acting executor once the transfer of ownership is complete. Another attorney can finalize the remaining administrative matters.”
I stare at him.
He lowers his voice. “It’s important that there’s no question about the legitimacy of Beverly’s wishes.”
William nods once. “I think that would be wise.”
Mother looks between us, furious and trapped. “This is a mistake, Vivien. You’re ruining your life.”
“Well, it’s my life to ruin. Not yours.”
She holds my gaze for a long moment before looking away.
A grin spreads across Spencer’s face. “Well, there you have it, folks. I think we’re done here.” He hands the letter to the attorney so they can review it, and then turns and kisses me on the mouth. In front of my mother, and I don’t even care.
I want to cry, but I have to keep it all together. This isn’t quite over, not yet.
When I break away from Spencer, Mother is standing, holding her purse in a tight grip.
“Gentlemen,” I say to Spencer and the attorney. “Can I speak with my mother alone for a minute?”
They exit to the waiting area.
Mother sits back in the chair, expression smooth and unreadable. Maybe it’s the Botox.
I’m not sure what to say or where to start, but then she speaks.
“That man is not good for you. You can do better.”
“He’s a hot lawyer who treats me like a queen and gives me unlimited orgasms. How could I possibly do better?”
“Don’t be disgusting. I don’t know why you never dated Hudson Connors.”
“Because he’s like a brother to me, and he’s a playboy and a total ass.” I hold up a hand. “I don’t want to talk about my life. It’s none of your concern. What is your concern is my money, and how you have been overly involved in managing my affairs.”
“I’ve always done what is in your best interest.”
“Thank you. But now it’s my turn. I’m no longer a child. I will hire my own financial firm, and you will not interfere.”
Her eyes harden. “Or what?”
I hold her gaze. “Or I stop letting you be part of my life at all. I want to have a better relationship with you, but I can’t do that if you are going to try and dictate the terms of my life.”
She frowns. “You’re being dramatic.”
“I’m being clear.”
“You’re making a mistake.”
“I don’t think so. We’re done here.”
She smooths her coat, collects her bag, and looks at me one last time.
She leaves.
I exhale, shaky.
The front door opens and shuts.
A few seconds later, Spencer comes into the room and his arms are around me. “I’m so proud of you. That was perfect.”
I lean against his chest and shut my eyes. No. It’s not perfect, but life rarely is. It probably isn’t over between Mom and me, but that’s okay.
Because now I am in charge of my life.
I chose me.