“He did. Said he had an old Bel Air. Wanted to sell it. Said he’d leave the money to his grandkids.”
“Did he say he wanted to split the money between both grandsons?”
“Yeah, between the grandkids, both of them.”
Victor’s lawyer nodded with satisfaction. Alex’s lawyer stood up.
“Can you tell us when exactly Peter Miller told you this?”
The witness hesitated.
“Well, it was a long time ago. Maybe 10 years back.”
“10 years ago. And have you spoken with Peter Miller in the last few years of his life?”
“No, we lost touch. I moved to another part of town.”
“So you don’t know if his intentions changed over those 10 years?”
“Well… I guess not.”
“Thank you, no further questions.”
The next two witnesses were two other men of a similar age. Their testimonies were similar. Grandpa had mentioned the car and his desire to sell it at some point. But all these conversations had taken place many years ago, and none of them had spoken to him in the final years of his life. Alex’s lawyer systematically dismantled their testimonies, pointing out the passage of time and the lack of current information.
Then it was the defense’s turn.
“Your Honor, we call to the stand Mrs. Vera Gable, the deceased’s neighbor.”
Mrs. Gable entered the courtroom, looking a little nervous. She took the witness stand.
“Did you know Peter Miller?”
“Of course, I did. We were neighbors for thirty years.”
“Did he ever speak to you about his car?”
“Yes, he did. He loved it very much. Cared for it like the apple of his eye.”
“Did he ever say he was going to sell it?”
“Never. He said he was leaving it to Alex. About three years ago, before he went to the hospital, he told me just that: ‘The car is for Alex. He’ll understand what it is.’”
“Are you certain you remember those words?”
“I remember it like it was yesterday. I even asked him: why not Victor, the older grandson? And Pete replied: ‘Victor loves money, but Alex understands the soul of things.’”
A hush fell over the courtroom. Victor’s face went pale. His lawyer was scribbling furiously. The judge looked at the plaintiff’s lawyer.
“Any questions for the witness?”
Victor’s lawyer stood up.
“Mrs. Gable, were you friends with the Miller family?”
“Yes, I was.”
“With whom specifically? With Peter Miller or with his grandson Alex?”
“I was friends with Peter’s wife, God rest her soul. And I respected Peter; he was a good man.”
“And do you have a relationship with Alex?”
“Occasionally. He would come to visit his grandfather and say hello to me.”
“So you have a good relationship with the defendant?”
“Well, a normal relationship.”
“Is it possible that you are testifying in his favor out of personal sympathy?”
Mrs. Gable flushed.
“I am telling the truth. What I heard from Peter Miller. I have no reason to lie.”
“Thank you. No further questions.” The lawyer sat down.
The judge looked at both sides.
“Are there any other witnesses or evidence?”
Alex’s lawyer stood up.
“Your Honor, we would like to present additional evidence. These are entries from Peter Miller’s journals, where he describes the maintenance work on the automobile and repeatedly mentions that the car is intended for his grandson Alex.”
The judge took the journals and flipped through them. There were dozens of entries from the last 20 years. All of them mentioned: “For Alex,” “Alex will appreciate it,” “Alex will take care of it.” She looked up at Victor. This was quite convincing evidence of the testator’s intent.
Victor’s lawyer tried to object.
“Your Honor, personal journal entries have no legal standing…”
“They do,” the judge interrupted. “As proof of a person’s intentions. Taken together with the letter, the witness testimony, and the will itself, the picture is quite clear. Peter Miller consciously and deliberately prepared the automobile as an inheritance for his grandson Alex.”
She closed the case file.
“The court will now recess to deliberate.”
Twenty minutes passed. Alex sat gripping the arms of his chair. His lawyer was next to him, writing in a notepad, calm and confident. Victor was pacing nervously in the hallway, talking on his phone.
Finally, the judge returned. Everyone stood.
“Please be seated.”
She put on her glasses, opened a document, and began to read.
“Having reviewed the case materials, heard the witness testimonies, and examined the evidence presented, the court has reached the following conclusion.” Alex held his breath. “The will of Peter Miller was executed in accordance with the law, certified by a notary, and supported by a medical certificate of the testator’s mental capacity. The presence of the automobile in the garage is not grounds for revising the will, as the automobile is part of the property located within the garage and automatically transfers with it.”
The judge paused, looking at Victor.
“The witness testimonies presented by the plaintiff do not refute the testator’s intent, as they refer to a period significantly preceding the drafting of the will. At the same time, the testimony of the witness for the defense, as well as the letter and journal entries of the testator, unequivocally indicate his intention to leave the automobile to his grandson, Alex Miller.” She looked up. “The plaintiff’s claim is denied. The court’s decision is final and may be appealed within thirty days. This court is adjourned.”
The gavel struck.
It took a moment for Alex to understand what had happened. Then it sank in. He had won. The car was his. He turned to his lawyer. He was smiling.
“Congratulations. Justice has been served.”
Alex stood up, extended his hand to his lawyer, and shook it.
“Thank you. Thank you so much.”
Victor sat in his seat, pale, his face like stone. His lawyer was gathering her documents, clearly unhappy with the outcome. Alex walked over to his brother.
“Victor…”
“Get away from me,” Victor hissed, not looking at him. “You won. Happy?”
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