Chapter 7 - THE COURTROOM TRAP
The emergency custody hearing took place on Thursday. Rebecca, out on bail for the assault charges, sat next to her husband and my parents. They looked polished, playing the role of the tragic, concerned family to perfection. They had hired a bulldog attorney who immediately launched into a theatrical monologue about my past, my supposed instability, and how Lily was in grave danger.
I sat quietly next to Vance. I wore a bespoke charcoal suit. I looked every inch the legitimate billionaire I had become.
When it was our turn, Vance didn't argue. He didn't shout. He simply walked up to the judge and handed over a flash drive.
"Your Honor, opposing counsel claims my client is unstable and a danger to his daughter. They claim the events of last Saturday are a fabrication by a grieving, paranoid father. We submit to the court Exhibit A: a video taken by an independent third party at the event. We also submit Exhibit B: a medical evaluation by Dr. Samuel Aris, the chief of pediatrics at Austin General."
The judge plugged the drive into his monitor. The courtroom was silent.
Even from where I sat, I could hear the faint, tinny audio escaping the judge's headphones. “You clumsy little brat...”
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The judge's face drained of color. He looked up, his eyes locking onto Rebecca with absolute disgust. He then looked at my parents.
"This court," the judge said, his voice shaking with barely suppressed rage, "has zero tolerance for perjury, child abuse, and the weaponization of the family court system. Petition for custody is denied with extreme prejudice. Furthermore, I am issuing a permanent restraining order. None of you are to come within five hundred yards of Daniel or Lily."
