Page 34 of Frayed Owner

To say Clare was a wreck before the hearing was an understatement. I checked several times that she still wanted to go through with being disowned and offered to just have Jasmine do it in her place.

I was impressed that she pulled it together right before we had to go in and had her armor up like a boss. If nothing else, the Shaws knew how to act cold and impenetrable well.

We were a mess otherwise, but we could fake it.

A few minutes before the hearing was to start, Jean, Mother, and Grandmother came in… Without Father—Charles. I rubbed the back of my neck. I really needed to stop referring to them as my family.

Ineededto. For my own mental health.

But I also needed to be more understanding with myself. It had only been a few months, and even if I’d legally severed our bond, I couldn’t change who I was born of.

The six councilmen who were hearing the case came in. They had already adapted certain changes even if the construction of the addition was going on. A few different hearing types were being held in meeting rooms now, and people were responding well to the changes and things being expedited.

But given who was involved, I wasn’t surprised the big guns were coming out for this one… Nor the anger I immediately saw.

“I apologize for speaking out of turn, but Charles Shaw is no longer the head of the Shaw family,” Jean informed them. “That is why he is missing from this hearing, not that the Shaw family is disrespecting our governing body. That foolishness will cease.”

“Forgive me for doubting that, Ms. Shaw,” Councilman Reid hedged. “But it would be a welcome change. And yes, the summons is for the head of the Shaw family. Technically.”

“Yes, that’s why I’m here,” Jean said firmly. She nodded when just about every mouth in the courtroom fell open. “Yes, I am the new head of the Shaw family. It was decided yesterday. It will be announced and celebrated tomorrow.”

“I can confirm that as the previous head of the family,” Grandmother echoed.

Holy. Shit. Jean pulled off a miracle.

“I understand,” Councilman Reid accepted. “Let’s start the hearing.” He went through the normal procedures and then turned to Jasmine to start, but Jean took over.

“Given the changes in the head of the family, we’re asking for a dismissal of the hearing and the matter be handled internally, Councilman,” Jean said with confidence.

“Well, you’re already acting like Charles Shaw and as if your opinion is the only one that matters,” I drawled. “You can’t justdismissClare’s wishes and say you’ll work it out now that you have all the power and once you’ll hold all the cards again.”

I shut my mouth when Jasmine moved her hand to my arm, adjusting my neck and trying to keep my cool. I did a double take when Clare looked at me with shock and seemed touched.

“Agreed, but it is an option for you, Clare Shaw,” Councilman Oliveria said gently. “Or you can ask for a continuance to discuss this now that your father is out of the picture. No one would be upset by that. We’ve read the report and—family is never an easy issue. You need to make the best decision for you.”

Clare swallowed loudly and then looked over at Mother, Grandmother, and Jean. She let out a slow breath before focusing on Jean. “No, I won’t dismiss it. I still want to be disowned. Too much has happened, and I want out of that—it wasn’t the life I wanted. You have a fight ahead of you to keep that position—Alex—”

“Alex will be admitting to the charges and accepting his punishment,” Jean told her.

She was less than thrilled when both Clare and I snorted in disbelief.

“You have a fight to keep the position. I won’t be a pawn or collateral. I want out,” Clare told her, her voice shaky. “I wish you the best, and there is no contention or ill wishes here.” She looked at Grandmother. “Maybe when the dust settles, we can have Saturday lunches again. There is no reason we can’t just because I take the name Millen.

“It is still a family name. It’s silly this would make me dead to you all, and it would be your choice. I just need off the crazy Shaw ride. Alex—Father—it was too much. Uncles have made other comments and—I cannot be a woman in this family anymore and I don’t want to be in the spotlight as I have been. I just want to be happy.

“I don’t know that I ever have been, and as my family, I would think you would wish that for me. I would think you should thank Bevin for coming in like a sister should and saving me that day after what Father ordered and what Alex did—wanted to do.” She sniffled and wiped under her eyes, clearing her throat. “But too much went wrong.

“Too many promises broken, and nothing was done until the situation went way,waytoo far. Plus, you now have someone dirty in your camp killing familiars. I’m safe where I am, and you don’t have to worry about me while you handle what you need to. So please don’t fight this and we can spin it as amicable. Please.”

Grandmother shocked me by giving a quick nod and wiping her own eyes. Her gaze met mine for a second and then she looked at the councilmen. “Charles outed the property Bevin inherited. You oversaw all of that. As Henry’s widow, I’m not contesting it. I knew he had some of the Millen holdings in a trust—it was part of what was done. It’s history.”

“It is and ironclad,” Councilman Oliveria said firmly. “I’m glad you feel that way, and I suggest it be the stance of your other children and family. You’re going to have enough trouble coming your way and don’t need my family being upset over this when Henry was our friend and now Bevin is.”

Jean adjusted her neck, pissed he said it publicly. “There is no issue with her inheritance. I would ask the council delay this hearing then if they won’t dismiss it. My sister is emotional and—”

“And you have an agenda, Ms. Shaw. Everyone here can smell it,” Councilman Moon said firmly. “Disownment is a formality. A person belongs to themselves, not a family like property. If Clare Shaw—to become Clare Millen—ever wants to change back and rejoin your family, it’s as simple as a few forms, not forming a new continent.”

“Your fighting so hard showed your hand is what we’re saying,” Councilman Reid said with amusement. “Let’s rule.”

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