Chapter 28 - The Unraveling of Julian Vance
"Your Honor, this is an ambush!" Julian Vance bellowed, rising to his feet as his attorneys scrambled to pack their files. "These claims are based on unverified civilian data! Vance Dynamics demands an immediate recess—"
"You will sit down, Mr. Vance," Judge Hayes ordered, her voice trembling with judicial fury. "You have introduced forged military documents into a federal courtroom. You have weaponized international defense treaties to terrorize a civilian family and unlawfully seize children."
Judge Hayes turned to her fellow judges, who nodded in swift, unanimous concurrence.
"The Court finds that the allegations against Marcos and Mateo Serrano-Miller are wholly fraudulent, fabricated, and malicious," Judge Hayes declared, her words echoing through the live broadcast being watched by tens of millions worldwide. "All custody orders, biological classifications, and treaty flags are hereby vacated with extreme prejudice."
The courtroom gallery exploded into cheers. Reporters surged against the velvet ropes. Lucía pulled Arthur into a fierce hug, tears of relief finally cascading down her cheeks.
"In addition," Judge Hayes continued, her voice cutting through the noise, "under the authority of Title 18, Section 1001, I am remanding Julian Vance into immediate federal custody without bail, pending formal indictment for treason, conspiracy, and fraud against the United States."
Julian’s face turned an ugly, mottled shade of crimson. "You can't do this! Do you know who I am? Do you know who Vance Dynamics owns in the Senate?!"
"You are a prisoner of the United States Marshal Service," Judge Hayes said coldly. "Take him away."
Four marshals closed in on Julian Vance, clicking steel handcuffs around his wrists. As they dragged him past the defense table, Julian lunged toward Marcos and Mateo, his eyes bulging with psychotic rage.
"You think this is over, you little bastards?!" Julian hissed, spittle flying from his lips. "You don't know what was in that Blue Folder! You don't know what your grandfather was actually building! When they find out what you really are, they won't send marshals—they’ll send the entire world!"
"Get him out of my courtroom!" Judge Hayes ordered.
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Marcos watched Julian being hauled out through the security doors, his expression unreadable. He looked down at the battered blue folder resting on the table.
Julian's parting words weren't the idle threats of a beaten man. They were a warning.
