Victoria crossed her arms over her chest, sneering without even glancing at the seal.
"I don't care! Municipal HOA bylaws supersede outdated farm permits! Hand me that document and arrest him for criminal trespass!"
Chapter III: The Unbroken Lineage
Deputy Rodriguez looked at Victoria with utter disbelief, then looked down at the signature line once more.
"Ma'am... Judge Harrison Miller was Frank's great-grandfather," Deputy Rodriguez explained with icy clarity. "This valley was chartered under federal sovereign deed in 1892. The Oakridge Estates development was only granted a conditional residential lease on the outer perimeter."
Victoria’s confident smirk flickered.
"That's impossible! The developer promised us full acreage expansion rights—"