Part 6

Morrison attempted to recover.

“Your Honor, a former legal career does not establish present mental competence.”

“That is correct,” I acknowledged. “But neither does my age establish incompetence. The allegations must be supported by relevant evidence.”

The judge agreed that my professional background alone was not decisive and directed the parties to address the actual evidence.

Morrison struggled to identify anything beyond his clients’ suspicions.

Eventually, the hearing recessed.

In the hallway, Patricia and Michael huddled with their lawyer.

Michael paced back and forth, making hurried phone calls.

Patricia repeatedly glanced toward me.

Finally, Morrison approached.

“Mrs. Hamilton, perhaps we could resolve this privately.”

“What do you propose?”

“Your daughter might consider withdrawing the competency petition in exchange for a more equitable distribution of the estate.”

I stared at him.

“So the concern about my mental health disappears if I give Patricia several million dollars?”

He hesitated.

“I’m suggesting a practical solution.”

I closed my handbag.

“Mr. Morrison, my husband made a deliberate decision about his estate. Your clients challenged that decision by questioning my mental capacity. I see no reason to reward those accusations.”

He returned to his clients.

When the hearing resumed, Patricia was called to explain her concerns.

She described my requests for help with online banking and household technology.

Then the judge asked whether she still believed I was incapable of managing my affairs.

Patricia hesitated.

“I don’t know anymore.”

For the first time, she seemed uncertain.

That evening, she called me.

“Mom, why didn’t you ever tell me about your career?”

I sat in Robert’s study.

“Because I chose to focus on raising you. I didn’t think I needed a professional title for you to respect me.”

She began crying.

“I didn’t know.”

“You didn’t ask.”

There was a long silence.

Finally, she asked the question I’d expected.

“Why did Daddy leave everything to you?”

I answered carefully.

“Your father loved you deeply, Patricia. But he was concerned about how you and Michael handled money.”

Over the years, they had borrowed substantial amounts from us.

Money for renovations.

Money for vacations.

Money for investments that never produced returns.

They rarely repaid anything.

Robert had eventually concluded that handing them millions without accountability would encourage the same behavior.

“He wanted me to decide how our family’s wealth should be managed,” I explained. Patricia began crying again.

“Mom, I’m sorry. Michael told me you couldn’t handle everything.”

“And you chose to believe him.”

“I know.”

I loved my daughter.

But love couldn’t erase what she had done.

“Patricia, if we rebuild our relationship, it must be based on honesty and respect. Not on how much money you expect to receive.”

She quietly agreed.

The following morning, Patricia arrived at court alone.

Michael appeared later with another attorney, David Chen.

Instead of withdrawing the petition, they introduced a new argument.