Chapter 9: The Gilded Injunction
In August, the outside world attempted to breach their perimeter.
A sleek black town car with Massachusetts plates drove down the gravel lane. Arthur Sterling—Evelyn’s chief litigation partner—stepped onto the porch, carrying a certified legal portfolio from the Knox County Superior Court.
Lucas stepped out to meet him, closing the wooden screen door so Maya and Hannah remained undisturbed inside.
""Lucas,"" Sterling began, his voice practiced and smooth. ""Your mother has filed an emergency petition for Grandparental Visitation and Custodial Audit under the Interstate Family Protection Act.""
Lucas leaned against the cedar railing, his arms crossed over his flannel work shirt. ""I am listening, Arthur.""
Sterling opened the folio. ""Evelyn is prepared to withdraw the petition and establish a $5 million educational trust for Maya in exchange for two weeks of unsupervised summer visitation in Greenwich and your return to the board of Vance Capital.""
Lucas took the legal papers from the attorney’s hands.
He did not open them.
With slow, deliberate precision, Lucas tore the heavy legal parchment into four pieces, dropping them into the porch recycling bin.
""Tell Evelyn Vance three things, Arthur,"" Lucas said, his voice ringing with absolute, sovereign authority. ""First, my daughter's soul is not for sale at any price. Second, the surveillance video of Evelyn assaulting Hannah in our Greenwich nursery has been entered into the state criminal registry. And third... tell her that if she ever sets foot in Knox County, she will be arrested for felony trespass.""
Lucas pointed to the lane. ""Get off my land.""
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The attorney stared at Lucas, saw the unyielding iron in his eyes, snapped his briefcase shut, and retreated to his car.
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