Chapter 8 - The Verdict
The hammer of justice did not just fall on Julian Vance; it crushed him entirely.
The judge ruled immediately from the bench. Not only was Julian denied all custody and visitation rights, but the judge also signed a permanent restraining order protecting Clara and Leo.
But the nightmare wasn't over for Julian. Arthur had made a second move.
As Julian stormed out of the courtroom, his face red with fury, two men in dark windbreakers stepped into his path.
"Julian Vance?" one of them asked, flashing an FBI badge. "You're under arrest for federal wire fraud, perjury, and conspiracy to commit extortion regarding the Vance Estate Trust."
Julian panicked. He turned to run, but the heavy oak doors of the courtroom were blocked by security. Within seconds, his hands were violently wrenched behind his back, the cold steel of handcuffs snapping around his wrists.
He looked back, his eyes catching his father's.
Arthur Vance stood in the aisle, his face a mask of profound sorrow, but his posture unbroken. He had finally done what he should have done a decade ago. He had stopped his son.
Julian was dragged out of the courthouse, screaming obscenities, his reputation and his freedom completely destroyed.
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Clara collapsed into her chair, covering her face as deep, body-wracking sobs of relief overtook her. It was over. The ghost that had haunted her for ten months was gone. She was safe. Leo was safe.
Arthur placed a gentle, grounding hand on her shoulder. "Let's go home, Clara," he said softly.
