"Ma'am," Deputy Bradley said, his tone turning dead serious as he looked up from the page. "This is a permanent agricultural land covenant and historic property deed. It explicitly guarantees the Miller family sole, irrevocable ownership of all two thousand acres in this parcel, running from the ridge down to the riverbed. Furthermore, this document was signed and certified directly by Presiding Judge Harrison Miller."
Victoria's face hardened with pure contempt. "I don't care who signed it! Some backwoods county judge doesn't override the Whispering Pines developer board! We will have an injunction slapped on this field by sunset!"
"You might want to reconsider that tone, Ms. Vance," Deputy Bradley warned softly. "Judge Harrison Miller happens to be the Chief Justice of the State Superior Court. And more importantly, he's Arthur’s younger brother."
Victoria froze, the blood instantly draining from her face. Her mouth opened to argue, but no words came out.