James smiled, his expression both nostalgic and reassuring. “It’s been a long time.”
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“Apparently, working for your son,” he said with a wry chuckle. “But don’t worry—I’m here to help.”
James explained that Brian had approached him for legal representation, unaware of their shared history. “He’s playing a dangerous game,” James said. “And he’s about to learn some hard lessons.”
The next day, James returned with coffee and a calm, confident demeanor that put me at ease. “Let’s fix this,” he said.
At the appointed hour, James called Brian. “We need to talk,” he began. “Before you proceed, you should understand the full situation.”
Brian’s tone was dismissive. “I know exactly where I stand.”
“Do you?” James asked. “Because what you did after your father’s death—taking his car, watches, and money without proper authorization—constitutes theft. There are witnesses who can testify to this, and the legal consequences aren’t in your favor.”
Brian hesitated. “You wouldn’t.”
“I would,” James replied firmly. “If you push this lawsuit, everything comes out. Is that a risk you want to take?”
There was a long pause before Brian finally said, “What do you want me to do?”
“Drop the lawsuit,” James said. “Walk away, and this goes no further. If you don’t, you’ll face the consequences.”
Another silence followed, and then Brian muttered, “Fine. I’ll drop it.”
When James hung up, relief washed over me. “I don’t know how to thank you,” I said.
“You don’t need to,” James replied. “Sometimes people need a reminder of what’s at stake.”
As I watched him sip his coffee, I felt a deep sense of gratitude—not just for his help, but for the timing. Brian had tried to take everything, but James had reminded me of my own strength and integrity. Life has a way of bringing the right people back at the perfect moment.