Chapter 7 - The Trial of Blood
By 6:00 AM the next morning, the sun rose over the snow-covered estate in Castle Rock, painting the winter sky in sharp shades of pink and orange.
Inside the villa’s secure study, the atmosphere was frantic.
Caleb’s high-stakes family law attorney, a sharp, formidable woman named Victoria Sterling (no relation to Chloe), sat at the glass desk with three laptops open, surrounding herself with legal briefs and state jurisdiction records.
"We have a massive problem," Victoria announced, rubbing her tired eyes. "Because Caleb never established legal paternity on Maya’s birth certificate six years ago, Julian Vance currently holds the temporary court-appointed guardianship order from Oregon. On paper, Caleb and Chloe look like criminals who snatched an heiress from her late mother’s estate."
"Can't we just do a rapid DNA test?" I asked, pacing the room while holding a fresh cup of coffee.
"We can, but a private DNA test takes twenty-four hours to process," Victoria explained. "The police will trace the black card usage to this estate within three hours. When the FBI shows up with that Oregon warrant, they will take Maya into child protective custody. And once Maya is in the system, Julian Vance’s judges in Oregon will sign an emergency transfer order sending her straight back to his estate."
Caleb sat on the sofa, holding his head, looking completely broken. "So it’s over. I failed her again."
"No," I said sharp and loud.
Everyone in the room turned to look at me.
"Nora?" Caleb blinked.
I walked over to the desk, slamming my coffee cup down. "We don't play Julian Vance’s game in secret anymore. He relies on shadows, bribes, and private security because he’s terrified of public exposure. He wants to keep Maya invisible so no one asks questions about that thirty-percent stock trust."
I turned to Victoria. "If we go to the media right now—if we hold a live press conference on the steps of the Denver District Courthouse at eight o'clock—what happens?"
Victoria’s eyes lit up with brilliant legal realization. "If Caleb publicly declares paternity on national news, presents the video evidence of Julian’s thugs attacking us at the resort, and surrenders Maya directly to a Colorado Family Court judge... the state judge will be forced to issue an immediate protective order pending a court-ordered DNA test!"
"Julian won't be able to bribe a public spotlight," Chloe agreed, her face brightening. "He’ll be forced onto the defensive!"
"It’s a massive gamble, Nora," Caleb warned, looking at me with worry. "Julian will unleash every lawyer, every media firm, and every corporate smear campaign he owns against our family. Our entire life will be exposed."
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I looked out the window. Down in the garden, Ava, Micah, and Maya were playing together in the snow, making snow angels, their happy laughter carrying through the glass.
I turned back to Caleb, my chin lifted high. "Our life was built on a lie anyway, Caleb. It’s time to tear down the fake version and build something real. Get the car ready."
