Chapter 8 - The Blood TestThe Fulton County Courthouse smelled of floor wax, damp wool, and quiet desperation.
The media had caught wind of the emergency custody hearing. By the time my legal team and I walked up the grand stone steps, flashbulbs were blinding us from every angle. Reporters shouted over each other, tossing out grotesque headlines: “Billionaire’s Baby Mama Battle!” and “The Heir and the Caterer: Who Owns the Twins?”
Warren walked directly beside me, his broad shoulder shielding me from the press, his hand resting firmly at the small of my back. Victoria Vance flanked my other side, holding a leather briefcase containing three encrypted thumb drives.
Inside the sterile, fluorescent-lit corridor outside Judge Harrison’s chambers, Derek and his father were waiting.
Richard Fontaine looked at me with open, venomous hatred. “You thought you could ruin us with a dinner party, girl?” Richard hissed as we walked past. “You’re nothing. A kitchen hand from Macon. You’ll be begging us for scraps by the end of the week.”
I stopped dead in my tracks. I turned to look him square in the eye.
“My mother taught me how to survive in a house with no heat, Richard,” I said, my voice cold and steady, carrying clearly down the hallway. “You grew up believing your name could protect you from everything. But dynasties built on dirt always rot from the root. Let’s see how your name holds up in court.”
Judge Harrison—a stern, no-nonsense woman with iron-gray hair—called us into chambers ten minutes later.
The DNA technician was already set up with his swabs and vials.
Derek stood across the mahogany table, looking smug, whispering something to his attorney. He was so confident. He genuinely believed that money, family name, and legal intimidation would break me.
“Ms. Reed,” Judge Harrison said, her voice dry and authoritative. “We are here to establish the preliminary biological standing for the custody petition filed by Mr. Fontaine. Please present the infants for the swab.”
My heart pounded against my ribs. I reached down to unbuckle Leo from his carrier, my hands trembling slightly.
Warren placed his hand over mine, stopping me. He looked up at the judge.
“Your Honor,” Warren said smoothly. “Before the DNA swabs are administered, my legal team wishes to enter Exhibit A into the permanent court record.”
Marcus Vance, Derek’s lawyer, stood up instantly. “Objection, Your Honor! This is a simple paternity hearing. Cole has no legal standing here!”
“Mr. Cole is an interested party, and as of this morning, the primary financial guarantor of Ms. Reed’s legal and personal estate,” Judge Harrison overruled sharply. “Proceed, Mr. Cole.”
Warren nodded to Victoria, who stepped forward and placed a heavy brown envelope on the judge's desk.
“What is that?” Derek muttered, leaning over to his lawyer. “What did they put in there?”
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Judge Harrison opened the envelope. She pulled out a stack of certified medical and legal documents, her eyes scanning the pages. As she read, the stern lines of her face deepened into an expression of absolute, cold fury.
She looked up, fixing her gaze directly on Derek Fontaine.
