Chapter 6 - The Unraveling Facade
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"Step aside, Mr. Whitaker," Sarah Chen said firmly, pulling her ID badge from her coat pocket. "We have a court-mandated order to inspect the child immediately."
Celeste appeared at the top of the marble staircase, wearing a silk dressing gown, her hands trembling as she gripped the gilded railing.
"Grant, what is this?!" she shrieked. "Why are the police here?!"
"Stay upstairs, Celeste," Grant commanded, his voice sharp as a whip. He turned back to Marcus, dropping all pretense of hospitality. "This is a harassment campaign initiated by my estranged brother. I am a federal contractor with high-level security clearance. You step one foot further into my home without a signed search warrant from a district judge, and I will have your badge by morning."
Marcus didn't blink. He reached into his coat and produced a physical copy of the judge's signature.
"Signed twenty minutes ago by Judge Vance, Grant," Marcus said coldly. "Now, where is Lila?"
Before Grant could respond, a small voice echoed from the top landing.
"Uncle Evan?"
Lila stood at the railing beside her mother, clutching her velvet bear. She looked impossibly small framed by the massive chandelier above her.
Sarah Chen moved quickly, heading straight up the stairs past Celeste. "Hi, Lila. My name is Sarah. I'm here to help you. Can we go into your room and talk for a minute?"
Grant made a sudden movement toward the staircase. "Don't touch my daughter!"
Marcus instantly stepped into Grant’s path, placing a heavy hand on his chest. "Stand down, Whitaker. Move again and you'll be spending the night in a cell for obstruction."
Ten agonizing minutes passed in total silence in the foyer. Grant stared at me with pure, unadulterated hatred, while Celeste wept quietly on the stairs.
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Finally, Sarah Chen reappeared at the top of the landing. She wasn't looking at Grant or Celeste. Her face was deathly pale, and her hands were trembling as she looked down at the officers in the foyer.
"Officer," Sarah called out, her voice cracking slightly. "Call an ambulance. Right now."
