Page 79 of Scored

I tried unsuccessfully to blink away new tears. “What does this mean?”

“The trust is the valid legal document,” Cammy said, “for Trish to appeal the judge’s earlier dismissal. This is the same judge who ruled on Joseph Eads’s motion granting Mrs. Hubbard the right to contest the will.”

“That judge granted Mrs. Hubbard her right to contest based on the years she and Reid were married,” Trish said. “I believe that was the reason the judge didn’t want to approve separating the Coopers from Mr. Hubbard’s estate.”

“Now?”

Both of their smiles bloomed.

Trish spoke, “After I took the trust to the judge, she had no choice but to separate the Coopers from Mr. Hubbard’s estate.”

A welcome feeling of joy flooded my circulation. “And the trust says Maeve Hubbard, not child or children?”

Both ladies smiled.

“Yes,” Cammy said, “the trust has your name and your name only, Maeve Mary Hubbard.”

“Can Bre fight this?” I asked. “If she finds out the will said children.”

“In most cases,” Trish replied, “a trust takes precedence over a will. In essence, the trust owns the Coopers. A trust is also not subject to probate.” She beamed at me. “The trust gives the entire Cooper organization to you and you alone.”

“Thank you.” My tears were now steadily dripping down my cheeks. I brought my hands to my heart. “This is such a relief.”

“When the owner of a revocable trust dies, the trust can no longer be changed,” Trish said.

Cammy leaned toward me. “I’ve worked with Reid and Joe Eads for many years. Do you have any idea why your father would go to outside counsel for the creation of a trust worth billions of dollars?”

Inhaling, I shrugged. The answer on the tip of my tongue was that Dad found out Joe was screwing Daphne, but I couldn’t prove that accusation. “I don’t know.” I furrowed my brow. “How did you find it?”

“When the grantor of a trust dies,” Trish said, “the successor trustee, which in this case is Jerry Woodard, attorney at law in Lexington, is legally responsible for notifying interested parties—you.” She smiled and reached for her lunch. “Esquire Woodard contacted me late last week. He contacted Joseph Eads’s office and was told that Mr. Eads was no longer your representation. Mr. Eads’s assistant told Mr. Woodard to contact me.”

“I’m…” The words weren’t coming. “I’m just so happy.” I reached for my lunch and then pushed my chair away from the table and stood. “It’s official: I am the sole owner of the Lexington Coopers.”

Trish nodded. “I’ve filed the paperwork appealing the separation with the court. I learned late last Friday that the separation had been granted. It’ll take time to fully separate your father’s estate from the franchise. But the process is underway.” She tilted her head. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m thrilled your father took this extra step. It’s just odd that he did it without Mr. Eads’s knowledge or the knowledge of Coopers’ legal. It’s odd he chose some small-time attorney to handle such an enormous investment.”

“Trish,” I said, “I’m constantly learning more and more about my father, things I never imagined.” My smile stayed upright. “I guess he foresaw the possibility of problems and wanted to get ahead of them.”

“Just so you know,” Trish said, “as Mrs. Hubbard’s counsel, Joseph Eads will be notified of the trust and the separation. In case he comes your way, I want you to know that every i is dotted and every t is crossed. He may bluster, but don’t worry. You, Ms. Maeve Hubbard, are the one and true owner of the Coopers.”

“I can’t explain how this makes me feel.” I had a thought. “Will Bre be notified?”

Trish pursed her lips. “Only if she’s made a claim against Mr. Hubbard’s estate. I haven’t been notified of that.”

“Fuck the estate,” I said with glee. “Divide it between whomever.” I wrapped my arms around my own shoulders. “The Coopers are mine.”

I wanted to tell Fin.

Trish, Cammy, and I talked as we ate our lunches. The uncertainty of ownership had weighed me down more than I realized, more than I could imagine. The unspoken fears of Daphne or Bre taking part of the team and selling it were a thing of my nightmares. Sharing control with an infant was insanity. My own family battling for control based on an unsigned will kept me awake at night.

In the course of a thirty-minute conversation, my shoulders felt lighter.

This new clarity was far from a fix all.

There were still going to be battles within my family. Dad had fought more of those than I realized. The unveiling of certain family secrets will either make us stronger or tear us apart. I hoped for the former.

I also had someone sending threatening notes with beautiful roses. The dichotomy was difficult to conceptualize.

As we finished our lunch meeting, I hugged both Cammy and Trish. “Thank you for working so hard when I was swamped with other things. I owe you both.”