Chapter 4 - SHADOWS FROM THE PAST
A photo changed everything.
A paparazzi had snapped a picture of Julian Vance at a local ice cream parlor, carrying a laughing Leo on his shoulders while holding Maya's hand. The headline read: TECH BILLIONAIRE’S MYSTERY ORPHAN.
Across town, in a smoke-filled dive bar, a man named Marcus slammed his fist on the table, grinning a yellow-toothed smile. Marcus was Maya’s biological uncle—a petty criminal who had lost custody of her years ago due to severe neglect. But seeing her dripping in designer clothes next to a billionaire gave him a brilliant, wicked idea.
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"Looks like my little niece struck gold," Marcus muttered, dialing a sleazy tabloid lawyer.
Under state law, biological relatives still held sway if parental rights weren't permanently severed. Marcus didn't want Maya. He wanted a payout. The next morning, Julian was served with emergency custody papers. Marcus was demanding Maya back.
