Chapter 13 - THE COUNTER-STRIKE
Monday morning. The Federal Courthouse was a zoo of media vans and satellite trucks.
Julian Thorne arrived in a pristine black limousine, stepping out with a tragic, sorrowful expression perfectly tailored for the cameras. He played the role of the grieving European uncle perfectly, dabbing his eyes with a silk handkerchief as he walked up the marble steps.
Gideon Vance arrived ten minutes later.
He did not avoid the cameras. He did not sneak in through the back door.
Gideon walked directly up the front steps, holding Sage’s hand firmly in his own. Sage wore a beautiful, simple navy peacoat, her head held high, flanked by Owen Faust and a phalanx of security. She did not look like a frightened victim. She looked like the heir to an empire.
Inside Courtroom 4B, Judge Sterling banged his gavel, calling the chaotic room to order.
"We are here to resume the emergency custody petition filed by Mr. Julian Thorne," the judge announced. "Mr. Vance, your legal team has requested to submit new evidence before the psychological evaluation is reviewed. Proceed."
Julian Thorne leaned back in his chair, a smug, arrogant smirk playing on his lips. He believed he had won. He believed the mercenary attack had terrified Gideon into submission.
Nora Whitman stood up, walking toward the center of the courtroom. She did not carry a thick binder today. She carried a single, cream-colored envelope.
"Your Honor," Nora began, her voice ringing clear and deadly across the silent room. "The defense moves for the immediate dismissal of the plaintiff's custody petition with prejudice. Furthermore, we request that federal marshals detain Mr. Julian Thorne in this courtroom, pending immediate extradition to Switzerland on charges of attempted murder."
The courtroom exploded into chaos. Reporters gasped; Julian Thorne bolted upright in his chair, his smug smirk vanishing into a mask of pure, unadulterated panic.
"Objection!" Thorne’s lawyer screamed, slamming his hands on the table. "This is a desperate, slanderous fabrication! They are trying to distract the court from the illegal adoption!"
"I have the physical evidence in my hand, Your Honor," Nora stated loudly, holding up the parchment. "A notarized confession and toxicological reports documenting Mr. Thorne's attempt to poison his sister, Elise, ten years ago to secure sole control of the Thorne family inheritance. This child is not his beloved niece. She is the final loose end he has been trying to execute for a decade."
Judge Sterling’s face turned the color of ash. He snatched the documents from the bailiff, his eyes scanning the signatures.
May you like
Julian Thorne’s chest began to heave. He looked wildly around the room, realizing the exits were already blocked by federal marshals. He looked across the aisle at Gideon.
Gideon sat perfectly still, his arm wrapped securely around Sage’s shoulders. The billionaire’s dark eyes locked onto Julian, offering a slow, terrifyingly cold smile of absolute victory.
