The Divorced Heiress Is Entering a New Marriage

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WHE

“He might surprise us,” Dylan said, a shred of hope in his voice, under a healthy level of cynicism.

“Don’t hold your breath,” Frank replied.

“The problem is we don’t know fully what to expect,” Mabel said. “Well other than Senior being a crotchety asshole who will try to cheat us at every turn. We can expect that. But with our affidavits…”

“Will those be enough?” I asked. “Maybe they were, to convince him to sit down for a compromise, but if we don’t have some kind of ace in the hole, we’re going to be right back where we started. He’ll take everything and try to get rid of me.”

“No one is getting rid of you,” Logan said firmly. It was sweet, and comforting, but negotiations would be over before they began if we didn’t have something in our pocket to convince him not to push for that.

“We need a counter,” I said. “He will want to get rid of me. But if we have leverage to force him not too…”

We all took a moment, thinking. Dylan crossed his arms.

“Wait,” I said, an idea sparking in my mind. “Dylan, did you tell him where the meeting will be?”

“I said a neutral location,” Dylan said. “Not his office or your house.”

“Then we rent the ballroom,” I said.

“The ballroom?” Logan asked. “That’s a large room for a meeting.”

“Not if we bring everyone there,” I explained. “What’s more compelling and intimidating that a stack of paper affidavits? Hearing all the terrible things you’ve done wrong, to your face, from the very people ‘you’ve wronged.”

“That would be intimidating…” Mabel said. “Senior is tough when he sits behind his desk. I’m not sure how he would act when faced with so many people.” She looked at Logan. “What do you think?”

“It’s a possibility,” Logan said. “He’s used to being in charge of situations, so it might unnerve him to not be in control of the moment.” Looking at me, he smiled. “Good idea, Hazel.”

“I’m full of them,” I replied with a grin.

“That’s my wife,” Logan said with pride.

As we continued to make arrangements, including setting the date and calling all of our comrades, Dylan

ducked out.

“I have a few things of my own to take care of,” he said.

Logan gave him a curious look. “You will be back in time for the meeting?”

“Of course,” Dylan said. “Like I’m going to miss that.”

“Okay…”

After he left, I leaned into Logan to ask him, “What do you think that’s about?”

“I wish I knew,” Logan said. “He’ll tell us when he’s ready.”

“Okay…”

Two days later, we welcomed Mr. Hudgens and everyone we had previously interviewed to the ballroom. A few decided not to show, but most were eager to comfort Senior.

Knowing Senior would likely turn the other way if he saw all these people before entering the had our guests hide behind a partition that was big enough to expand most of the room.

Mr. Hudgens decided to stand in the open with us. Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.

e room, we

“I’ll stay with you,” he said. “There’s nothing he could do to intimidate me, and I’ve been playing his games for forty years. I’ll help give you an edge.

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Logan and I agreed right away. Especially as Dylan was still absent and not returning any of our calls or

texts.

Then, as Mabel, Mr. Hudgens, Logan, and I stood in a line, Mr. Hatfield Senior arrived with his team of lawyers, including Mr. Smith.

They looked at us and we looked at them.

“Let’s negotiate,” Logan said.