His signet ring caught the light as he adjusted it.

The magistrate was a woman named Judge Pruitt, her silver hair cropped short, reading glasses hanging on a chain around her neck.

She listened to the motion with her chin propped on her hand.

“Your Honor, my client is only asking that the estate’s assets be preserved while the contest is pending,” Robert’s attorney said.

“The property on Birwood Lane is the main asset.

If the respondent sells off anything, my client’s claim becomes worthless.”