CHAPTER 4: The Threat in the Shadows
The peace in the penthouse was shattered the next morning by a heavy knock at the door.
Julian opened it to find his chief legal advisor, Marcus Vance, standing in the hallway with a thick leather briefcase. Marcus looked grim, his grey eyes filled with concern.
""Julian, we have a major problem,"" Marcus said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. He glanced toward the living room where Lily was playing quietly with a set of wooden drawing pencils.
""Did Victoria say something to the press?"" Julian asked, closing the door.
""Worse,"" Marcus whispered, leaning in. ""The board of directors held an emergency meeting last night after the gala. Richard Vance—your uncle—is claiming the girl is an imposter planted by rivals to stall the upcoming merger. He’s filed for immediate temporary custody through the state to 'investigate her background.'""
Julian’s eyes narrowed into slits. ""Richard wants her out of the way so she can't claim her share of the family trust.""
""If he gets custody, she'll be put into a private boarding facility outside the country within forty-eight hours,"" Marcus warned. ""You need absolute proof of paternity or blood relation before the family court hearing on Friday.""
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Julian looked back at Lily, who was busy drawing a colorful rainbow on a sheet of paper. She looked so fragile, yet so resilient.
""We'll do a DNA test today,"" Julian said firmly. ""And until the results come back, no one touches my sister.""
