Chapter 3 - The Morning StormBy 6:00 AM the next day, the storm hit the front pages.
The Portland Daily Register ran the headline across its front page, boosted by heavily funded social media ads: “BILLIONAIRE JACKSON REED INVESTIGATED AFTER INCIDENT WITH UNGUARDED CHILD.”
The distorted photograph had gone viral. Comments sections exploded with outrage, fueled by anonymous bot accounts pushing a orchestrated narrative.
In his high-rise penthouse, Jackson sat staring at a glass of untouched black coffee. His phone rang incessantly. On the screen was the name of his chief legal counsel, Marcus Vance—who, unbeknownst to Jackson until this moment, was Sloan Vance’s uncle.
“Jackson, we have a catastrophic situation,” Marcus said through the speakerphone. “ The Board of Directors at Reed Enterprises has called an emergency session for 2:00 PM. They are invoking the morality clause in your CEO contract.”
“It’s a frame-job, Marcus!” Jackson slammed his hand on the desk. “I danced with a girl for two minutes because she was sitting on the steps crying!”
“Intent doesn’t matter in the court of public opinion,” Marcus replied, his tone smooth yet devoid of warmth. “If you are removed as CEO, control of the Reed Foundation defaults to the secondary committee. Which, as you know, intends to liquidate the Maple Street Community Center to sell the property to the industrial development group.”
Jackson froze. The Maple Street Community Center was the last thing Evelyn had built before cancer took her life. It was a haven for low-income families, providing free childcare, meals, and after-school tutoring. If they took the center, they weren't just destroying his reputation—they were erasing Evelyn’s legacy.
Meanwhile, in a tiny two-bedroom apartment three miles away, Julia opened her front door to find two uniformed Child Protective Services officers standing alongside a court process server.
“Julia Cooper?” the lead officer asked.
“Yes?” Julia’s voice trembled.
“We have an emergency temporary custody warrant issued by Family Court,” the officer stated, handing her a thick stack of legal papers. “Based on reports of child endangerment and public negligence filed this morning, Maddie Cooper is to be placed in temporary state custody pending a full hearing in seventy-two hours.”
“No!” Julia shrieked, dropping her coffee mug. It shattered on the linoleum floor. “No! She’s my daughter! I was twenty minutes late because an arterial line blew in the ICU! I didn't abandon her!”
Maddie ran out of the bedroom in her pajamas, clutching a stuffed bear. “Mommy? Who are those people?”
“Maddie, go back to your room!” Julia pleaded, dropping to her knees, tears flooding her face as she gripped the officer’s sleeve. “Please, I beg you! Don't take my baby! I have no family here! She’s all I have!”
“Step back, ma’am,” the officer said firmly, moving past her to gently guide Maddie toward the door.
As Maddie was led away, screaming for her mother, Julia collapsed onto the floor, surrounded by broken glass and cold coffee.
Her phone buzzed beside her on the floor. An unknown number appeared on the screen.
May you like
Julia snatched it up. “Hello?! Please, help me!”
“Miss Cooper,” Jackson Reed’s voice came through the line, heavy with guilt and fierce determination. “My name is Jackson Reed. I am the man from the dance. They are using us to destroy each other. But I swear on my life... I am going to get your daughter back.”
