Chapter 5 - THE PETITION
Three days later, Natalie received court papers.
Emergency petition for temporary financial guardianship.
Petitioner: Margaret Brooks.
Supported by affidavits from David Brooks, Daniel Brooks, and Dr. Samuel Price.
Price was a psychiatrist who had met Natalie twice at charity dinners.
He claimed she showed signs of emotional dysregulation, compulsive rescue behavior, and impaired financial judgment following adoption-related stress.
The petition cited the slap.
The canceled reservations.
Large “unexplained” spending through Hawthorne.
Her refusal to discuss family assets.
And Lena.
The child was described as a “high-needs adoptee whose attachment behaviors may be influencing Ms. Brooks’s decisions.”
Natalie read that sentence three times.
Then she called her attorney.
Mara Ellis arrived within an hour.
She had represented Shaw Hospitality for years and disliked Margaret with professional discipline.
“This was prepared before the birthday,” Mara said.
“How do you know?”
“The medical affidavit is dated two weeks earlier.”
Natalie felt cold.
Margaret had planned to challenge her before the card.
The birthday confrontation was bait.
Public witnesses.
Violence.
Canceled assets.
A narrative of instability.
Lena’s humiliation had been useful.
That made the act worse.
Margaret had not simply lost control.
She had used a child to provoke evidence.
Natalie looked at Daniel’s affidavit.
He described her as increasingly secretive and hostile.
David described fear for her mental health.
Both claimed ignorance of her ownership.
Both asked the court to place temporary control of Aster Ridge under a family committee chaired by Margaret.
Mara closed the file.
“They want Shaw Hospitality.”
“They do not know the full structure.”
“They know enough.”
Natalie walked to the window.
“What happens to Lena if the court grants this?”
“Nothing automatically.”
“That was not my question.”
Mara understood.
Margaret would use child welfare next.
A financially unstable adoptive mother.
A violent confrontation.
A family willing to claim concern.
“Natalie,” Mara said carefully, “does Lena have any living biological relatives who might be contacted?”
“One aunt. She signed away interest after the neglect case.”
“Margaret will find her.”
Natalie looked toward the hallway.
Lena was drawing at the kitchen table with headphones on.
The petition had transformed the conflict.
Not money against money.
Family against motherhood.
Margaret believed Natalie would surrender the company before risking Lena.
May you like
She was right about what Natalie valued.
Wrong about what surrender would protect.
