Chapter 9 - The Legal War

Julian did not wait for the morning.
Within two hours, his private helicopter landed on the lawn of the state capitol. He strode into the office of the Governor of Massachusetts, bypassing the secretaries who tried to stop him.
"Julian," Governor William Vance—a distant cousin who had long relied on the family's financial backing—said, standing up from his desk. "What is going on? I heard about the custody order."
"You’re going to call Judge Raymond, William," Julian said, standing before the governor's desk like a towering force of nature. "And you’re going to tell him to vacate that order within the hour."
"Julian, I can't interfere with the judiciary—"
"You can, and you will," Julian interrupted, his voice flat and level. "If that order is not vacated, I am releasing the complete records of the 2022 campaign donations to the public. The record that shows how Charles Harrington and Thomas Sterling used Vance shell companies to funnel five million dollars of illegal dark money into your campaign."
The governor's face drained of all color. He sat back in his chair, his hands shaking. "Julian... that would destroy my administration. It would destroy the party."
"Then you had better call the judge," Julian said.
Forty-five minutes later, Julian was back at the estate.
The social workers and police officers were still waiting in the driveway, but their phones were now ringing simultaneously. The lead social worker listened, her eyes wide with shock, before she slowly lowered her phone and looked at Julian.
"The... the order has been vacated," she stammered. "We are leaving."
Julian didn't say a word. He watched them get into their cars and drive away, their tires kicking up gravel.
May you like
He turned and walked back into the house, where Clara and Lily were waiting. Lily threw her arms around his waist, crying with relief.
"I told you, Lily," Julian whispered, holding her close. "No one is taking you from me. Not ever."