Chapter 5 - Dad’s version
Dad said I attacked him first.
Not physically.
Emotionally.
That was his phrase.
Everett Sloan presented his statement during the protection-order hearing.
According to Dad:
He and Paige came to help after Owen’s death.
They brought luggage because I was pregnant and alone.
I became “irrationally hostile” after he asked to review estate papers.
I demanded they leave.
He tried to calm me.
I moved toward the open doorway.
He grabbed me to prevent a fall.
I lost balance.
My water broke from stress or natural preterm rupture.
Doorbell video existed.
The judge watched.
Dad’s hand was visibly wrapped in my hair.
He pulled backward while I tried to free myself.
Then pushed.
No need for adjectives.
The judge extended the civil protection order.
One year initially, subject to later review.
No contact.
No home.
No hospital.
No direct communication through Paige.
Then criminal charges.
The prosecutor filed:
Domestic-violence-related assault.
A separate assault count.
An enhanced theory connected to my pregnancy/physical harm was considered, but prosecutors remained cautious because medical experts would not claim Dad caused the membrane rupture.
Good.
No attempted murder.
No “he almost killed the baby” unless evidence supported it.
My injuries:
Scalp tenderness.
Bruised knee.
Minor forearm abrasion.
Premature rupture temporally associated with assault, medical causation unresolved.
Dad pleaded not guilty.
Released with conditions.
Paige sat behind him.
She looked at me once.
No smile.
Then company.
Dad’s lawyer demanded his access restored.
Margaret refused.
Mercer Restoration’s operating agreement allowed temporary suspension of management privileges during a documented financial audit.
His ten-percent profit interest remained.
Suspension did not erase ownership.
He would still receive distributions if due, subject to the loan/setoff provisions and court orders.
Dad argued:
Owen amended the agreement unfairly to squeeze him out.
Could he challenge?
Yes.
He retained business counsel separately.
Then Dad filed a probate creditor claim.
He claimed Owen personally owed him:
$410,000.
I stared at Margaret.
“We went from twenty-five to four hundred ten?”
She nodded.
Documents:
The old $150,000 transfer.
Another $85,000 allegedly advanced for equipment.
$60,000 “management compensation.”
$115,000 “deferred family investment return.”
Some could be real.
Some looked invented.
Probate court would not reject because I hated him.
Estate required proof.
Then one attachment caught Margaret’s attention.
A photocopy of an older Owen will.
Dated three years earlier.
It named Glenn as contingent business representative if I could not serve.
Dad had highlighted:
Glenn Hayes may assist in continuity of Mercer Restoration Group.
He acted as though that sentence made him executor.
It did not.
The current will, executed seven months earlier, named:
Margaret Lane as executor.
Me as beneficiary of ordinary estate assets except defined trust property.
First Franklin Trust as trustee for June.
Dad received nothing under the will beyond any valid debts the estate actually owed.
Why change executor from me to Margaret?
Owen knew I would be heavily pregnant.
Practical.
Why remove Glenn from continuity language?
That answer lived inside the audit.
Then Paige filed an affidavit.
She said:
“Owen repeatedly told Glenn he considered him family and wanted him to protect Natalie and the company.”
Could be true.
Then:
“Owen said Glenn would be in charge if anything happened.”
When?
“Last year.”
Could also be true before the audit.
Plans change.
May you like
Documents date those changes.
That was why paper mattered.
