Chapter 2 - The Stolen Signature
The entire courtroom erupted into absolute, deafening chaos the moment Violet finished her terrifying sentence.
Gabriel violently lunged toward his own six-year-old daughter with his hands outstretched to silence her.
The heavy wooden gates of the courtroom did not stop the massive court bailiff from brutally tackling Gabriel to the carpeted floor.
Samantha jumped out of her seat and shrieked hysterically that the traumatized child was a pathological liar.
Clara collapsed heavily into her leather chair as a second wave of agonizing, sharp pain radiated through her abdomen.
She clutched her swollen belly, finally realizing why she had been feeling so incredibly sick all morning.
Her corrupt husband and his cruel mistress had actively tried to poison her unborn child.
Judge Holloway aggressively slammed her wooden gavel against the sounding block until it nearly cracked.
"I want this man securely detained in a holding cell immediately!" the judge roared over the shouting gallery.
Gabriel struggled violently against the heavy metal handcuffs as the bailiff hauled him up from the floor.
"You cannot arrest a respected businessman based on the ridiculous fantasy of a toddler!" Gabriel screamed in sheer panic.
Mr. Hayes, Clara's dedicated attorney, immediately requested that all of Gabriel's financial assets be permanently frozen pending an investigation.
He argued passionately that Gabriel was clearly a severe flight risk who had just committed attempted murder.
Gabriel's highly expensive defense lawyer frantically opened his leather briefcase and pulled out a stamped legal folder.
"Your Honor, my client is the sole legal guardian of the unborn child, and he demands full custody right now," his lawyer stated smoothly.
Mr. Hayes laughed out loud, stating that Clara would absolutely never surrender her parental rights to a monster.
The defense lawyer confidently slid a thick document across the polished wooden bench for the judge to carefully review.
Judge Holloway read the paperwork, and her fierce, angry expression slowly drained into a mask of pure shock.
"Mrs. Linwood, did you knowingly sign this irrevocable surrender of parental rights three months ago?" the judge asked quietly.
Clara stared at the paper in absolute horror, recognizing her own blue ink signature at the very bottom of the page.
She vividly remembered Gabriel rushing her to sign a massive stack of joint tax documents right before a busy business trip.
He had completely manipulated her and slipped a total surrender of her maternal rights right into the middle of the boring financial papers.
Gabriel smiled a dark, victorious smile as the bailiff dragged him toward the holding cell door.
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"You can keep your cheap pride, Clara, but I am legally taking my son today," Gabriel sneered maliciously.
Before Clara could scream back at him, her water violently broke across the courtroom floor.
