Chapter 3 - The Cavalry Arrives
Three men in bespoke charcoal suits walked into the foyer, led by Julian Vance—the most lethal family attorney on the East Coast—and two uniformed EMTs carrying pediatric medical kits.
Victoria jumped to her feet, outraged. "What is the meaning of this? Dominic, call building security! How dare these people trespass into our private residence!"
"This is not your residence, Victoria," Julian said smoothly, unbuttoning his jacket as he stepped into the living room. Behind him, two female paramedics immediately knelt beside me, speaking softly as they assessed Leo’s vitals. "And as of forty-eight hours ago, Clara Sterling revoked all power of attorney granted to Dominic Vance."
Dominic's face flushed crimson. "Julian? You're *my* corporate counsel! What the hell are you doing representing my wife against me?"
"I represent Sterling Holdings, Dominic," Julian replied, pulling a thick leather binder from his briefcase. "You were merely an appointed managing director. An employee. One whose employment was terminated by unanimous board vote at three o'clock this afternoon."
The room plunged into an icy chill.
Brooke dropped Liam’s hand, her painted lips parting in utter disbelief. "An employee? Dominic, what is he talking about? You said Vance Enterprises belonged to your family for generations!"
"It did," I whispered, holding Leo tight against me as the paramedic gently checked the pulse in his wrist. "Until your precious Dominic ran the family textile firm into bankruptcy five years ago. My father bought the debt, reorganized the structure, and gave Dominic a title so his fragile ego wouldn't break. Every single cent Dominic spends—from the car you arrived in to the Cartier watch on your wrist—comes from the Sterling Trust."
Victoria began gasping for air, clutching her pearls. "You ungrateful little viper! We took you in! We gave you a respectable family name! Dominic gave you a child when everyone said you were too cold to be a mother!"
"A child you starved," the lead paramedic interjected coldly, her professional composure breaking as she pulled up Leo’s sleeve to reveal severe dehydration marks and untreated ligature bruises on his tiny wrists. "Ma'am, we need to transport this boy to Presbyterian Children's immediately. He is severely malnourished and shows clear signs of physical confinement."
The word *confinement* hung in the air like a noose.
Dominic took a step back, the arrogance draining from his posture until he looked small, hollow, and pathetic. "Wait... Clara, listen to me. Leo was throwing tantrums! My mother was only using timeout techniques recommended by—"
"Save it for the grand jury," Julian interrupted, handing Dominic a thick manila envelope. "Enclosed is an emergency restraining order granted by Judge Miller. You, Victoria Vance, and Brooke Ellis are legally prohibited from coming within five hundred feet of Clara Sterling and Leo Vance."
"You can't kick us out!" Brooke shrieked, panic finally setting in. "Where are we supposed to go? Liam has a routine! He has piano lessons here tomorrow!"
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I stood up slowly, cradling my son in my arms. Leo clutched my lapels with all the strength left in his little fingers, burying his face away from the monsters who had tortured him.
"You can go anywhere you want, Brooke," I said, walking toward the door without looking back. "As long as you can afford it on the fifty-two dollars left in Dominic's personal checking account."
