Chapter 10: The Trap is Sprung
The summons arrived via formal courier precisely at 9:00 AM on a crisp Thursday morning. Marcus accepted the thick Manila envelope from the courier at the front door, his expression grim as he carried it straight into Julian’s study.
"Emergency custody injunction filed by Arthur Sterling, backed by Clara’s affidavit," Marcus announced, tossing the document onto the mahogany desk. "They’re bypassing the standard waiting period. They’ve scheduled an emergency hearing for tomorrow morning at 10:00 AM before Judge Harrison."
Julian didn't even look at the papers. He stood by the window, staring out at the manicured lawn where the autumn leaves were swirling in the wind. "Harrison? Isn't he notoriously strict about biological precedent?"
"He’s by-the-book," Marcus confirmed grimly. "If the DNA match is established, Harrison will grant joint custody almost immediately, regardless of emotional attachments or financial stability. They’ve cornered us."
Julian turned around, his eyes flashing with cold determination. "We have the intelligence report from Geneva. The hostile corporate funding proves this entire lawsuit is a malicious conspiracy designed to manipulate Vance Global’s stock value."
"It’s circumstantial evidence at best, Julian," Marcus warned. "A family court judge won't care about corporate espionage when faced with a biological father demanding his parental rights. We need a definitive counter-strategy, and we need it now."
Before Julian could respond, his smartphone buzzed on the desk. It was an unknown international number. He stared at the screen for a second before swiping to answer and putting it on speaker.
"Vance," he said sharply.
"Hello, Julian," Arthur Sterling’s smooth, confident voice filled the quiet study. "I trust you received the paperwork? Saves us a lot of wasted time in court."
"You’re a pawn, Arthur," Julian said, his voice dripping with absolute contempt. "You think you’re coming back to claim a family, but you’re just a rented weapon for a corporate hostile takeover. The moment they get what they want, they’ll discard you like trash."
There was a brief pause on the other line before Arthur chuckled softly. "Call it whatever helps you sleep at night, Julian. The biological reality remains unchanged. That boy is mine. And tomorrow morning, the law is going to prove it."
"If you step foot in that courtroom tomorrow, Arthur, you’ll regret the day you ever crossed my path," Julian threatened, his voice dropping into a low, menacing register.
"I'll see you at ten, Julian," Arthur replied smoothly, before disconnecting the call.
May you like
Julian slammed the phone down onto the desk, the plastic casing cracking slightly under the impact. He looked at Marcus, his mind racing through every possible tactical maneuver. There was only one play left, and it was a massive gamble that could either save his family or destroy everything he had built.
***
