Chapter 8: The Legal Trap**
The Sterling family’s legal maneuvering was vicious. Vanessa and Evelyn had joined forces, leveraging high-ranking judges in their social circle to file a petition claiming Julian was psychologically unstable and unfit to assume sudden guardianship of undocumented minors.
The next morning, two black sedans pulled up to the cottage, accompanied by a county sheriff and a stern social worker named Mrs. Gable.
"Mr. Vance, we have an emergency court order authorizing temporary protective custody pending the results of official DNA sequencing," Mrs. Gable announced, handing him the legal summons. "Until paternity and legal fitness are established, the children must be placed in a certified state facility."
Behind Julian, Mia started to cry, clinging to his leg with all her strength. "Daddy! Don't let them take us!"
Liam stood in front of his sister, his hands balled into fists, his small jaw clenched in fierce defiance. "We're not going! He’s our dad! Mom left us to him!"
Julian bent down, placing himself between the officers and the children. His heart was screaming to fight, but he knew any physical resistance would give the court the exact excuse they needed to declare him dangerous.
"Mrs. Gable," Julian said, his voice ringing with absolute authority. "I will voluntarily submit to an immediate rapid DNA test right here on the hood of this car. You have a forensic kit in your vehicle. Run the buccal swab. But my children will not be traumatized by being dragged into a county holding center."
The sheriff, an older man with kind eyes who knew Julian from the local harbor, stepped in. "Gable, the kit's certified for four-hour digital lab processing in the county seat. Let him take the swab. I'll personally stand guard at this house until the results return. No one needs to be moved."
May you like
Mrs. Gable hesitated, looking at the terrified children, and finally nodded. "Four hours, Mr. Vance. If the match isn't verified, they go with me."
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