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She never wanted it to stop.
Chapter Seven
Dressed in a business suit and heels, Rowan walked rapidly to the first floor with her phone on speaker.
“Aren’t you getting tired ofdealingwith me, Marvin? It’s been four months and we’re still going in circles.”
The attorney representing Bennett’s ex-wives and grown children slammed something on the other end of the line. “If you’d just be reasonable! I don’t know what you’re whispering in Jefferson’s ear but…”
She cut him off. “Despite the bullshit rumors from his lovingfamily, Bennett Jefferson remains powerful and fully in possession of his faculties.” As she walked into Bennett’s office, he watched her cross the room to his side. “He’s controlled byno one- he hasneverallowed others to control him. Don’t underestimate him. You’ll lose your shirt.”
She leaned against the edge of Bennett’s desk and he reached out to take her hand. She set the phone beside her and wrapped his hand in both of hers.
For almost a minute, she listened to the attorney ramble as she stared into Bennett’s eyes.
“They’re owedmore, Miss Foxe…”
“I’m going to stop you right there, Marvin. Mr. Jefferson offered a generous allowance of five thousand a month.”
“They deserve…”
“A swift kick in the ass and you know it. Stop wasting my time. When they sign the paperwork, they’ll receive the generous - and rational - settlements for several million each that Mr. Jefferson offered. Until then, they can drive the brand-new Toyotas they were compassionately given, live in the lovely apartments he was kind enough to provide, and somehowmake iton more money than ninety percent of the population has.”
Rowan rolled her eyes and Bennett grinned. “If they can’t manage tosurvivewith their housing and transportation taken care of, as well as a generous allowance, then they should getjobslike everyone else. We’re done. Have a lovely day.”
“Miss Foxe...!”
Ending the call, she smiled at Bennett. “Hello.”
“You’ve been busy, darling.”
“Is it wrong that I get perverse joy from being mean to your horrible family? Ithinkit’s wrong but...itfeelsso right.”
“Mary-Margaret said you offered to take the worst calls and she couldn’t stop laughing at your conversation with my son.” Lifting her hand, he kissed the back. “I love the way you are, Rowan. Don’t change anything.”
She turned her palm to cup his cheek.
From behind them, Mary-Margaret tapped on the door and said, “I hate to interrupt but I didn’t want to wait on showing you this.” She held out a thick stack of paper. “They’re seeking court-ordered evaluation of your mental faculties, Bennett. They’re accusing Rowan of taking advantage of your weakened mental state.”
“Marvindaredto ask for more money when he knew this was coming? Weakened mental state? I will crucify them.” Rowan straightened and turned to spread the papers over Bennett’s desk. She skimmed them rapidly as she dialed the lead attorney handling the settlements. “Zach. It’s Rowan.”
Zachary Peterson was one of Bennett’s oldest friends. He growled and said, “I just received the papers. Disgusting. What shall I do to slap them?”
“I need you to file counter-motions before end of business today. Make it known that every dime of support will be withdrawn at midnight tonight. They’ll lose access to housing, vehicles, cash, and prizes.”
“I cannot wait…”
“In addition, explain that our team of private investigators will delivertheirevidence to the court when we sue for defamation and harassment. Proof of mental, emotional, and sometimes physical abuse of countless people throughout the course of their day, as well as theft, and alcoholic rages in public.”
Through gritted teeth, Rowan added, “We have some excellent videos with crystal clear audio. The photos are in color and I’ve had them blown up to poster size. Also, tell that whiny baby who refers to himself asthe heirthat his extramarital affairs make for steamy viewing.”
“I’ll call you back in an hour, Rowan.”
“Full teeth, Zach. No muzzle. Rip them apart.”
“It will be my pleasure.”
She ended the call and slapped her hand down on the papers. “They won’t get away with questioning your mind, Bennett. They won’t. I don’t care what they say about me but I won’t let them do this to you.”
