Chapter 6 - MOTHER’S COUNTERATTACK
Mother did not destroy records.
At least not obviously.
She did something smarter.
She filed a declaratory action asking the court to determine Briarhaven ownership and validate her management authority.
Naomi read the petition.
“She wants control of forum and framing.”
“What framing?”
“That you are destabilizing the club based on an obsolete memorandum.”
Fair description from her side.
Then Mother asked court for temporary order:
No public representations that Blythe owns Briarhaven.
No interference with club management.
No removal of property records.
No transfer of disputed jewelry.
I agreed with most.
Truthfully.
We should not be making public ownership claims before verification.
Then she alleged:
Rafferty’s aggressive conduct toward Maris demonstrates he is not appropriate to exercise any control over Blythe’s financial interests.
That hurt.
Could she seek to remove me as natural guardian of property?
The trust already had independent trustee.
I did not control it.
Could she affect my parental custody?
No basis.
This was financial governance.
Still, my gift-box throw gave her material.
The prosecutor offered me diversion for misdemeanor disorderly conduct/reckless behavior.
Terms:
Conflict-management class.
Restitution for Maris’s damaged shoes and medical copay.
No direct contact outside lawyers temporarily.
I accepted.
Blythe asked why I went to a class.
“Because I threw something when I was angry.”
“At Aunt?”
“Yes.”
“She was mean.”
“Yes.”
“So?”
“So being angry doesn’t mean I get to throw things at people after you’re already safe.”
She frowned.
“What should you do?”
“Get you away. Call security. Call police if needed.”
“Boring.”
“Yes.”
Good.
Then jewelry.
Maris surrendered the pearl-and-gold necklace to neutral storage pending ownership determination.
Not admission.
Good.
Mother surrendered two rings and emerald earrings she acknowledged came from Vivienne’s estate box.
Her claim:
Gifts.
Neutral storage.
Other scheduled pieces?
Silver necklace with Blythe.
Bracelet:
Still missing.
Vintage watch:
Mother said she returned it to me years ago.
I did not remember.
Search home.
Nothing.
Could have been lost.
Need verify.
No assumption theft.
Then First Meridian sent preliminary holdings schedule.
Vale Descendant Trust currently listed as owner of:
34% of Briarhaven Holdings Partnership.
Not control.
I stared.
“Then document is wrong.”
Naomi said:
“Not necessarily.”
“Why?”
“Because partnership owns multiple entities and there may be direct holdings elsewhere.”
Then:
Blythe’s trust also held:
19% direct interest in Briarhaven Grounds LLC.
Another entity.
Need consolidated calculation.
Messy.
Then Mother’s family committee held:
Proxy over several other small family trusts.
Her effective voting influence exceeded her economic ownership.
Could that be what she was protecting?
Perhaps.
Then another clue.
A dormant LLC:
VVM Heritage Holdings.
VVM.
Vivienne Vale Mercer.
Public record showed:
Manager:
First Meridian.
No ownership disclosed.
One asset filing referenced Briarhaven.
There.
Potential missing piece.
Naomi requested records.
Mother’s lawyer objected:
Not relevant.
First Meridian said:
We will determine based on beneficiary rights.
No instant answer.
Then Maris called Blythe through Mother’s old family iPad? No. No direct contact due temporary. Good.
Instead she sent a letter through counsel.
She claimed she did not know pearl necklace was Vivienne’s.
Could be.
Then:
Mom told me Vivienne wanted the women in the family to share her things.
Maybe Mother lied to both of us.
Or Maris was lying now.
Need evidence.
No rush.
Then Blythe asked:
“Why does Aunt want Mommy necklace?”
I said:
“She says Grandma gave it to her.”
“Grandma can’t.”
“Maybe not.”
“She’s lying?”
“We don’t know everything yet.”
Hard answer.
May you like
Good.
A five-year-old did not need my certainty before facts existed.
