Chapter 14 - A New Legal War|
My private hospital suite was instantly transformed into a corporate war room.
“Where did he get the money and influence to manipulate a judge this fast?” I stared at the copy of the subpoena, so furious my voice shook. “Blackwood? Are they backing him?”
“Exactly,” the head lawyer nodded. “Marcus Blackwood is using Julian as a pawn to strike directly at our heir. If Julian gains custody or even joint rights over Leo, he will have a legal say in the inheritance the boy is entitled to.”
“What absolute scum,” Eleanor said coldly, her eyes fixed on the city skyline through the window. “Do they really think the Sterlings are this easy to bully?”
“Madam, should we use our offshore accounts to counter-bribe the judge?” the lawyer suggested.
“No,” I spoke up, holding my head high. “If we do that, we walk right into their trap. If we bribe him, they’ll leak the evidence to the press to prove I use money to trample the law. They want me to act crazy. They want me to lose control.”
I turned to look at Leo sleeping peacefully in his luxury bassinet. He was so calm, completely unaware of the vicious storm outside.
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“We will play by their rules, but we will execute them our way,” I said, locking eyes with Eleanor. “Mother, mobilize the private intelligence division. I want every single shadow transaction between Julian and that judge over the last three years. Men like that are never clean.”
Eleanor smiled, a terrifying, incredibly proud smile. “That’s my girl. I’ll make the call. We’re going to skin them alive in open court.”
