Immediately, Claire stood. “Your Honor, our son has emotional issues—”
The judge cut her off.
“Your son owns a multimillion-dollar company. When was the last time you spoke to him?”
Greg stammered. “We—we talk all the time.”
Lucas’s attorney handed over a folder.
“Your Honor, the plaintiffs have had no contact with my client in eight years.”
A murmur filled the room.
The judge leaned back, unimpressed.
“So you claim he’s incompetent, yet didn’t know he owns and manages a major business?”
Claire’s voice cracked. “We didn’t know—he hid it!”
“And that,” the judge replied, “is exactly why this petition has no merit.”
With a sharp crack of the gavel, he declared:
“This case is dismissed. And Mr. and Mrs. Bennett—be advised that further attempts at financial exploitation may carry criminal consequences.”
