Chapter 13 - The Subpoena
Three weeks later, the civil litigation officially began. Clara had filed a multi-million-dollar lawsuit against both Brenda and the mail-in genetic testing facility for negligence, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress.
Arthur walked into the study mid-morning, tossing a fresh stack of legal documents onto the desk with a satisfied grin.
"The lab folded," Arthur announced, leaning against the edge of the shelf. "To avoid a federal audit and a massive class-action lawsuit regarding their lack of chain-of-custody verification on commercial kits, they settled out of court."
"How much?" Clara asked coolly, adjusting her glasses.
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"Enough to ensure Elena and Leo never have to worry about financial security for the rest of their lives," Arthur replied. "And as for Marcus... his lawyers reached out this morning. He wants to sign away all parental rights voluntarily. He’s checking himself into an inpatient psychiatric facility to deal with the fallout of his identity crisis."
A strange mix of pity and cold relief washed over me. Marcus had been a coward, manipulated by a toxic tyrant of a mother, but in the end, he was just another casualty of Brenda’s web of deception.
