Chapter 2 - The Billionaire's Claim
The entire courtroom erupted into chaotic whispers and shocked murmurs.
Judge Miller slammed his gavel repeatedly against the wooden block to restore order.
I stared at the wealthy stranger in absolute horror and disbelief.
He introduced himself as Arthur Sterling, a prominent billionaire real estate developer in the city.
Arthur handed a thick stack of legal documents to the bailiff, who passed them up to the judge.
He claimed that he had a brief relationship with the children's late mother seven years ago.
According to his fabricated story, he never knew she had given birth to his children until he saw their faces on the local news.
"I have unlimited financial resources, a massive estate, and a team of private nannies ready to raise them," Arthur declared smoothly.
The state's lawyer immediately sided with the billionaire, praising his financial stability and flawless reputation.
My heart sank into my stomach as I watched the judge's expression soften toward the wealthy intruder.
The judge looked at me with genuine pity, but his legal obligations were bound by biological precedence.
"Mr. Carter, I am forced to suspend your adoption petition pending a mandatory DNA test," the judge announced with a heavy sigh.
I argued passionately, begging the court not to let this stranger take the children away.
My lawyer squeezed my shoulder and whispered that fighting a billionaire in family court was a losing battle.
The judge ordered that the children be temporarily released into Arthur's custody until the DNA results were finalized.
I felt my entire world collapsing as Arthur walked toward the wooden bench where the children were sitting.
Arthur smiled warmly at the kids, kneeling down to offer them an expensive box of imported chocolates.
The younger siblings looked confused, but the oldest boy, Leo, reacted with pure, unadulterated terror.
Leo scrambled backward on the bench, shielding his younger brothers and sisters with his own tiny body.
He looked at me with wide, panicked eyes filled with fresh tears.
I rushed over to the bench and pulled the trembling six-year-old into my arms.
Leo buried his face in my neck and began to sob uncontrollably.
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"Please don't let him take us, Mr. Carter," Leo whispered directly into my ear.
"That's the bad man who forced Mommy to drink the poison."
