Chapter 13 - The Nursery in the Dark
Julian raced after Noah down the dimly lit hallway, their wet shoes leaving dark footprints on the polished hardwood floor. The sound of the baby’s cries grew louder, echoing off the high plaster ceilings. Noah reached the end of the corridor, where a heavy mahogany door stood slightly ajar, warm light spilling out onto the dark carpet.
Noah shoved the door open with his shoulder, bursting into the room.
The space was a meticulously decorated nursery, painted a soft, soothing shade of lavender, completely contrasting with the cold austerity of the rest of the mansion. A pale pink crib stood in the center of the room, and inside it, a tiny infant wrapped in a white blanket was kicking her legs and wailing softly.
Standing beside the crib, rocking it gently with one hand while holding a silver-handled cane in the other, was an elderly man with sharp, aristocratic features and silver hair combed straight back. Judge Richard Vance didn't look surprised by their intrusion; he simply looked up, a calm, chilling smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
"You took your time, Julian," Richard said smoothly, his voice deep and unhurried. "I expected you both ten minutes ago."
Noah rushed past the judge, dropping to his knees beside the crib. He gently scooped the infant into his arms, pulling her tightly against his chest as the baby’s cries immediately softened into quiet sniffling against his damp shirt. Noah buried his face in her soft hair, his shoulders shaking with a mixture of overwhelming relief and burning rage.
Julian stepped into the room, standing a few feet away from his uncle, his fists clenched at his sides. "It’s over, Richard," Julian said, his voice shaking with fury. "The data has been leaked to the press. The police are already aware of the adoption syndicate. Your entire operation is finished."
Richard chuckled, leaning slightly on his cane. He didn't look panicked; in fact, he looked almost amused. "The press? Julian, my boy, do you really think a few leaked emails can touch a man who helped write the legislation governing this state's judicial system?"
"You sold children," Julian shouted, stepping closer. "You used Elena and Clara as pawns in a human trafficking ring disguised as a private adoption agency!"
"We provided solutions," Richard corrected coldly, his eyes flashing with menace. "Desperate mothers needing financial relief, wealthy families wanting a fresh start. A closed loop of supply and demand. Elena was just a weak link who let her emotions compromise the business."
Noah turned around, holding the baby safely in one arm, his free hand trembling as he glared at the old man. "You kept her here as leverage. You planned to use her if anything went wrong."
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"I planned for every contingency, Mr. Sinclair," Richard replied smoothly, reaching into his coat pocket. "Which is why my security team is currently locking the perimeter, and why the local authorities won't answer your calls."
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