Blinking several times at his mate’s words, Fionn slowly smiled at Hunter as the dragon fire coursing through his body died out. “I love you, mate.” Keeping his focus on his mate during the rest of the hearing—which passed without further incident—Fionn felt himself pulled up by Hunter when the bailiff called out for everyone to rise once again.
After the judge left the courtroom, Penn turned to his client. “That’s it. All your father’s assets have been transferred to you, Fionn. You’ll need to have your inventory list for your hoard amended but that shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll file the transfer of titles for all the real estate your father owned and forward them to you once they’ve been recorded.”
“What about the companies?” asked Fionn.
“You are now the owner of all of them as of five minutes ago, when the Court closed the estate,” answered Penn.
“Is there anything else I have to do?” asked Fionn.
“Right away…no. But I would recommend moving your father’s hoard as quickly as you can, simply because I don’t know if your uncle will attempt to access it,” Penn said.
“I was planning to do that,” Fionn said. “Penn, can I ask you something?”
“Sure,” Penn said, putting his files back in his briefcase. “What is it?”
“I thought the judge was going to allow my uncle’s claims, didn’t you?”
Stopping for a moment, Penn glanced over at Fionn’s uncle, narrowing his eyes at what he saw, then looking back at his client, he said, “Truthfully? Yes. Of course, I’d have appealed immediately but that would’ve dragged the probate process out longer.”
“Then what happened? Why did the judge side with us?”
“Don’t know. I stopped guessing why judges do things a long time ago. I’m just pleased he agreed with me this time,” Penn replied, smiling.
“Penn, I have a question,” Hunter said.
“Shoot.”
“Can Fionn’s uncle appeal the judge’s denial of his claims?” asked Hunter.
“No…well, yes technically he can, but he won’t,” Penn replied, picking up his briefcase.
“Why not?” asked Fionn.
“Because he won’t find a lawyer who’ll risk his livelihood filing an appeal that doesn’t have any basis in law for it…simply put, Mr. Walker didn’t file a motion for an extension of time prior to the hearing and give a reason why his client’s claims would be submitted after the deadline. So there’s no legal basis for an appeal,” Penn explained.
“But it seems to me,” said Fionn, “that filing that motion would have been a simple thing to do, so why didn’t he?”
“I can’t answer that…but during this entire case, Walker has been an arrogant ass who’s always acted as if the judge would do anything he wanted. That assumption turned out to be a fatal mistake because by not properly filing for the late submission of claims, he basically left his client without any options,” Penn said. Then, looking at his watch, he said, “I have to run to another appointment but call me later if you have any more questions, okay?”
“No problemo…but you won’t forget about contacting your client regarding my father’s…I mean, my companies?” asked Fionn.
“I plan on doing it as soon as I get back to the office,” Penn said.
“Thanks.” Sitting down, Fionn glanced over at his uncle who was engaged in a heated discussion with hisattorney, before shifting his eyes to his mate. “You know there’s never a dull moment in my life.”
Chuckling, Hunter kissed Fionn’s forehead. “Not a big deal, pet, because it certainly keeps life interesting.”
“Fuck! That’s one way of putting it,” Fionn smirked.
“Guys, ready to go?” Dylon asked. “Robert has our luggage and is standing by to pick us up.”
“Where’s Cody?” asked Hunter.
“He’ll join us shortly,” Dylon said.
“C’mon, pet, let’s get the hell out of here,” Hunter said, tugging his mate up.
Taking one last look at his uncle, Fionn saw him furiously tapping his phone. Grinning in triumph, he followed Hunter out of the courtroom, happy he’d never have to see him again. Once in the hallway, he found Cody leaning nonchalantly against the wall, waiting for them.
