Chapter 13 - The Law of the Vances
The grand foyer of the Vance estate looked like a war council. Two private doctors worked over Claire in an adjoining parlor, administering IV fluids and treating her exhaustion, while a pediatrician examined Noah under the warm light of a heat lamp.
""The baby is stable,"" the pediatrician announced, looking up at Ethan with a reassuring nod. ""A little cold, but strong. His vitals are perfect.""
Ethan dropped onto a velvet armchair, the adrenaline draining from his body, leaving behind a bone-deep agony. He watched his son kick his tiny legs, now wrapped in clean, warm flannel. For the first time in ten hours, Ethan could breathe.
The heavy mahogany front door swung open, admitting the sound of torrential rain and the harsh glare of revolving emergency lights.
Walking into the foyer were five high-ranking state troopers, accompanied by the State Attorney General, Robert Hayes—Ethan's own uncle—and Richard Sterling.
Richard’s expensive coat was soaked, his face twisted in a mask of controlled, vicious fury. Beside him stood Vanessa, wrapped in a black trench coat, her eyes burning with sheer venom as she saw Ethan sitting beside the infant.
""Evelyn,"" Attorney General Hayes began, holding up an official document. ""We have an emergency federal warrant for the recovery of a missing minor and the apprehension of Ethan Hayes for assault and kidnapping.""
""Shut your mouth, Robert,"" Evelyn Vance said, her voice slicing through the room like a razor. She stood atop the grand staircase, descending slowly with an aura of untouchable authority. ""You obtained that fraudulent warrant based on Richard's fabricated testimony before the digital ink had even dried.""
""Claire Henderson signed legal surrender of the infant!"" Richard shouted, his facade slipping as he pointed a trembling cane at Ethan. ""Ethan Hayes attacked hospital personnel and stole that child! He is a fugitive!""
""Is that so?"" Evelyn reached the bottom of the stairs, gesturing to a man in a bespoke three-piece suit who stepped out from the library. It was Marcus Cole, the most formidable constitutional attorney in the country.
Cole opened a leather folder and presented a document to Attorney General Hayes.
""This is an emergency affidavit filed forty-five minutes ago directly with the federal district court,"" Cole stated smoothly. ""It details the illegal coercion, corporate extortion, and attempted kidnapping orchestrated by Sterling Global against Miss Claire Henderson.""
""That's a lie!"" Vanessa hissed, stepping forward. ""She signed the contract!""
""A contract signed under unlawful duress is void ab initio,"" Cole replied coldly. ""Furthermore, Miss Henderson’s maternal rights are inextricably tied to the Vance Family Trust, which explicitly prohibits any transfer of guardianship without unanimous board approval. Richard Sterling knew this. That is why he attempted to have her executed tonight.""
Richard’s face drained of all color. ""You have no proof of such absurd allegations!""
""We have Thomas,"" Ethan said, standing up to face his would-be father-in-law.
The room went dead silent.
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""Thomas survived the tunnel,"" Ethan said, his voice ringing with cold certainty. ""He is currently in protective custody at the federal precinct, handing over the audio recordings of your daughter ordering him to eliminate Claire and the baby.""
Vanessa gasped, stepping back, her eyes widening in sheer panic.
