My mother sat right beside him, dressed in a neat floral dress with pearls at her throat.

Her cold gaze immediately fell on my military attire.

“Look at that uniform,” she muttered quietly, as though even saying the word made her uncomfortable.

Dad chuckled softly under his breath while straightening his tie.

I chose to remain completely silent.

Judge Prescott entered the courtroom and took his seat behind the elevated bench.

After reviewing several pages in the case file, he looked directly at my father.

“Mr. Merrick, you are alleging that your daughter completely abandoned this property?” the judge asked.

“Yes, sir, the house has been vacant for years, and we have been covering all the expenses,” Dad answered with total confidence.

The judge slowly nodded at his response.

Then he turned his attention toward my table.

“Commander Merrick, would you like to address the court regarding this claim?” Judge Prescott inquired.

My father’s smug smile disappeared the moment he heard my official rank.

My mother’s fingers clenched tightly around the strand of pearls at her neck.