Chapter 7 - The Legal Battle Begins
Peace was short-lived. By Tuesday morning, Julian’s lawyer, Marcus Vance, was sitting across from him in Julian's study, surrounded by stacks of legal briefs. Marcus was an old friend of Michael's, a veteran litigator with tired eyes and an uncompromising moral compass.
"Vanessa’s attorneys have filed an injunction," Marcus said grimly, tapping a pen against a blue folder. "She claims she was Michael’s primary de facto caregiver in his final weeks, arguing that Michael verbally granted her power of attorney over Lily’s educational placement. She wants access to the auxiliary trust fund to 'secure appropriate boarding accommodations.'"
Julian felt his jaw tighten. "Michael barely tolerated her when he was well. She only showed up when his heart began failing."
"The court doesn't run on memories, Julian; it runs on affidavits," Marcus warned. "Vanessa has two witnesses—her cousin and Michael's former nurse, whom she paid handsomely—claiming Michael expressed concern that you were too career-obsessed to raise a child. If a family court judge believes you are an unfit or absentee guardian, they could award temporary custody to a court-appointed conservator."
"She’s using Lily as a human checkbook," Julian said, his voice deadly low.
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"Then we prove it," Marcus said, leaning in. "We need Michael's personal journals and the hospital visitation logs from his final month. If we can prove Vanessa coerced him or forged his intent, this case collapses into criminal fraud."
Julian stood and walked to the window. Outside, Lily was chasing a yellow butterfly across the lawn, her laughter drifting faintly through the glass. "I won't let her touch a single day of this child's life, Marcus. Do whatever it takes."
