THE GLASS HEIR

The peace of the estate was short-lived. By morning, tabloids and digital news outlets across the country had published leaked photographs of Ewan’s hospital room, accompanied by sensational headlines questioning his legitimacy and accusing Clara of medical extortion.

Clara sat in the estate library, staring at her phone screen with tears welling in her eyes. "They're calling me an opportunist. They're saying I manipulated Elena's medical records to get a payout from the Sterling family."

Julian walked over, gently taking the phone from her hands and setting it face down on the mahogany desk. "Victoria is trying to fight in the gutter because she lost in the boardroom. Look at me, Clara."

Clara looked up, her breathing shallow. "I dedicated six years of my life to taking care of Elena and Ewan. I promised Elena on her deathbed that I would never let her son become a bargaining chip. Now my nursing license is under administrative review."

"I will hire the best legal counsel in the state," Julian promised, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Your name will be cleared by tomorrow afternoon."

"It's not just about my license, Julian," Clara whispered, her voice cracking with suppressed emotion. "Victoria filed an emergency injunction with family court. She’s claiming Ewan was subjected to medical negligence under my care. A judge has ordered a custody hearing for Friday."

Julian’s eyes darkened with a cold, terrifying resolve. "She is trying to put my son in state foster care to force my hand."

"She knows the system," Clara said, trembling. "If the court believes there was negligence, Ewan will be taken into temporary custody before we can even present our evidence."