Chapter 7 - The Judge
The heavy leather straps were aggressively tightened across my chest and legs, pinning me completely to the transport gurney.
I struggled fiercely, but the two massive orderlies simply ignored my cries, moving with practiced, ruthless efficiency.
Margot stood near the door, a look of absolute, chilling satisfaction spreading across her flawless face.
"Don't worry, sweetheart, the doctors at Ravenbrook will take excellent care of you," she sneered softly.
Arthur Vance held the heavy wooden door open, acting as the perfect gentleman while assisting in a kidnapping.
They began wheeling the heavy gurney out into the brightly lit hospital corridor, heading directly for the restricted service elevators.
I desperately looked around for a nurse, a doctor, or any hospital staff member who might intervene.
But the hallway was completely empty, the nurses' station inexplicably abandoned during the critical shift change.
Vance had clearly paid off the right people to ensure our exit was entirely uninterrupted.
The elevator doors slid open, and the orderlies pushed the gurney inside, the enclosed space feeling instantly like a coffin.
Margot stepped in beside me, her high heels clicking sharply against the metal floor.
"You really brought this upon yourself, you know," she whispered, leaning close to my face as the doors began to close.
"If you had just signed the papers quietly, we could have avoided all this unpleasantness."
Before the metal doors could slide completely shut, a thick, silver-tipped walking cane aggressively thrust into the narrow gap.
The heavy elevator doors violently bounced back open, revealing a towering, imposing figure standing in the hallway.
My grandfather, Arthur Davis Sr., stood there, his tailored wool coat resting over his broad shoulders like a general's cape.
His piercing blue eyes locked directly onto Margot, blazing with a terrifying, unyielding fury.
"Step away from my granddaughter, you pathetic, thieving parasite," he commanded, his voice booming with absolute authority.
Margot actually stumbled backward, her arrogant confidence instantly shattering at the sight of the retired federal judge.
"Arthur, this is a private family matter," Margot stammered desperately, attempting to regain her composure.
"I have a signed court order from Judge Harrison granting me full temporary custody."
My grandfather didn't even look at her; he simply raised a single finger, signaling someone standing behind him.
Two heavily armed US Marshals stepped aggressively into the elevator, completely boxing the massive orderlies into the corner.
"Judge Harrison is currently in federal custody for accepting massive bribes," my grandfather announced smoothly, a dangerous smile playing on his lips.
"And your fraudulent custody order has been officially voided by the federal appellate court ten minutes ago."
Vance practically flattened himself against the elevator wall, his face completely drained of all color.
"I was simply acting as legal counsel, I had no knowledge of any bribery," Vance lied frantically, desperately trying to save his own career.
My grandfather ignored the cowardly lawyer and looked down at me, his stern expression softening slightly with genuine concern.
"Are you alright, my dear?" he asked gently, reaching out to unbuckle the heavy leather straps across my chest.
I nodded, tears of sheer, profound relief streaming rapidly down my face.
The US Marshals aggressively slapped heavy steel handcuffs onto the two orderlies, marching them forcefully out of the elevator.
Margot was hyperventilating, desperately backing into the corner as my grandfather slowly turned his terrifying gaze back to her.
"You made a catastrophic mistake when you touched my blood," he whispered lethally, stepping closer to her trembling form.
"I am going to ensure you spend the rest of your miserable life rotting in a federal penitentiary."
Margot looked absolutely terrified, trapped in the corner with no lawyers, no bribes, and no escape route left.
But then, a dark, sinister smile slowly crept back onto her flawless, manicured face.
"You really think you've won, Arthur?" Margot laughed coldly, her voice dripping with sheer venom.
"I may be going to prison, but you are far too late to save her precious college fund."
She reached into her designer purse and pulled out a small, encrypted tablet, the screen glowing brightly in the dim elevator.
May you like
"The wire transfer completely cleared the offshore account five minutes ago," Margot revealed triumphantly.
"The money is completely gone, and there is absolutely nothing you can do about it."
