Chapter 9 - The Billionaire's Shield
"Stand down!" the lead officer shouted at Julian’s security team. "Release him!"
Julian nodded slightly, and his guards stepped back, leaving Marcus groaning on the floor.
"Officers," Julian said, his voice carrying clearly across the lobby. "I have my legal team on standby. If you wish to search my penthouse, you will go through the proper channels. But let me make one thing perfectly clear: if you hand those children back to that man, their blood will be on your hands. I have medical records from a licensed physician proving severe malnutrition and physical abuse."
The lead officer hesitated, looking down at Marcus, who was slurring curses and trying to stand up. The smell of alcohol on him at 10 AM was undeniable.
"We still need to see the kids, Mr. Vance," the officer said, taking a softer tone. "Child Protective Services is on their way. They will take custody until this is sorted out."
That was exactly what Maya had feared. The system swallowing them up, separating them, putting them in another abusive home.
"CPS will not take them," Julian stated.
"You don't have a choice, sir. You have no legal relation to them."
"Actually, I do," Julian lied without blinking. "Maya and Leo are my second cousins on my late mother’s side. I have filed for emergency emergency kinship custody this morning. The paperwork is currently sitting on Judge Hawthorne’s desk—a personal friend of mine."
The police officers exchanged uncertain glances. Arguing with a billionaire in his own lobby was one thing; arguing with a billionaire who had judges on speed dial was another.
May you like
"Keep him detained," Julian ordered his security chief, pointing at Marcus. "When CPS arrives, send them up to the boardroom. I have a company to save."
Julian turned on his heel and strode toward the executive boardroom, leaving the chaos behind him.
