[Although this story can be read on its own, you will enjoy it more if you read the preceding chapters, especially the first chapter. If you are offended by bodily functions, spanking, or caning and the like, please read no further. All characters are 18 or over.]
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Joan received a phone call from the family's lawyer, Mary Ann. The lawyer informed her that she needed to come by to discuss a matter with her. Joan told her that now was fine. Mary Ann said she would leave her office for the family home now.
Mary Ann was in her early 40s and had advised the family when Joan's mother, Jennifer, had been in charge. She had a submissive nature and had been disciplined by Jennifer and now was subject to being disciplined by her daughter Joan. Although Joan was only 24, she had been left in charge of the house and the family by Jennifer in her will.
This responsibility included managing the house and supervising the staff. Jennifer had assembled the family every Friday evening and considered the reports of staff and family in deciding who needed to be disciplined. She would then impose discipline at her discretion.
Four family members lived in the house: Jill, 32; Ken, 30; Emil, 28; and Joan herself, 24. Each now had a friend or partner living with them there, not necessarily on a full-time basis. Jill had her friend Clarice, 28, as well as Frank, 30, sometimes both at the same time. Ken was affianced to Andrea, who was 28, and had been designated as Joan's deputy, empowered to perform Joan's role as director in Joan's absence. Emily had a new friend, Grant, who was her same age, and Joan had recently invited Steve, 28, to live with her.
The rules provided that family members (and friends, with the approval of both the member and Joan) lived free of charge in the house but were subject to Joan's direction of the house and her disciplining. So far, no one seemed willing to leave because of these requirements.
Joan was petite but highly motivated, which had led to her success in her work. She had assumed her mother's role at home with relative ease. She had also been active sexually for some time, and within the house, with Emily as well as Ken and Andrea. Now she was involved in a relationship with Steve, who marveled at the amazing situation into which he had entered.
Joan had decided to end the weekly meetings and instead would call a meeting on occasion when there was something to discuss. She would advise those for whom she had decided that discipline was necessary to see her privately in her suite by appointment. This had already occurred with Jill, who had seemed to object to the change in the regular meeting and voiced her reservations. She had been disciplined by Joan with Steve present in Joan's rooms.
The head housekeeper, Petra, an experienced woman in her 40s, reported to Joan, and oversaw the staff, many of whom had served the family for years. Petra gathered information from them about misbehavior by family members as well as staff and passed this on to Joan. This was known to everyone, who did not bother to question it. Petra also was subject to being disciplined by Joan.
Mary Ann arrived and was shown to Joan's suite by a junior staff member, Rachel, who knocked on the door of the suite and said, "Miss Joan, I have Miss Mary Ann here to see you."
A voice responded from inside, "Tell her to come in and that is all, Rachel."
Rachel opened the door to allow Mary Ann to enter and quickly closed it behind her. She knew that Joan's statement indicated that the staff member's presence was neither desired nor permitted.
"It's good to see you, Mary Ann," Joan began. "Let's get started."
Mary Ann had been surprised to have been escorted to Joan's rooms. Usually their meetings occurred in the downstairs drawing room and she wondered what Joan had in mind today.
"I telephoned because there's a matter on which I need to get your position," she responded.
Joan remained silent so the lawyer continued her explanation.
"I was contacted by a cousin of yours, an Amanda Dawson, who said that she and her mother expected a bequest from Jennifer's will," Mary Ann said. "I told her I would discuss this with you and get back to her. She sounded somewhat desperate, as if she or her mother was in great need."
"I know her," Joan answered sharply. "She is a despicable little leech and my mother despised her mother, Carol. Let her know that she's getting nothing. I'm sure my mother's will was clear in omitting any mention of them."
"Are you sure that it might not make sense to pay them a very modest amount to make this go away?" Mary Ann asked. "I'm just saying this now so that if we end up litigating, when costs could be significant, you will be aware of that prospect."
"Mary Ann, you're retained to handle these little rip-off attempts," Joan snapped. "I want these hustlers to know right off that we can't be blackmailed or anything like that. So, do whatever you need to do to make her go away...without a nickel."
Mary Ann was trembling, despite her normal self-confidence. She had previously subjected herself to Joan's dominance, but she was surprised by how stridently the younger woman could make her position known.
"I certainly will deal with it," Mary Ann responded, "and she will be informed in no uncertain terms that she's getting nothing."
"Good," Joan said without much expression. "Anything else? Now you know how to deal with future requests like this one. I'm going to rely on you to ascertain which ones you may really need to fly by me."
Mary Ann did now understand that she would be very careful in giving anyone an idea that they might get anything from Joan or the family.
"I'm sorry, Joan," she replied. "I'm glad we had this conversation because now I'm quite clear on what I need to do in these situations. I'm sorry that you had to be bothered. But I do need to tell you about something else that I've picked up."
Joan looked her in the eye.
"Of course, please go ahead," she said quietly.
"Your two sisters have been consulting a lawyer," she said calmly. "One of my associates happened to see them in an office building down the street. Don't worry, they don't know her, but she recognized them from having done some work for me on your account. She watched the elevator signal and they got off on the floor of a firm I know well. There's no other tenant on that floor so they clearly were going to see someone there."