Chapter 6 - THE BOMBHELL EVIDENCE
Inside the courtroom, Judge Evelyn Vance (no relation to the traitorous COO from Michael’s past, but a magistrate known for her zero-tolerance policy on parental bad faith) peered down from her high oak bench over half-moon spectacles.
Thomas’s lawyer babbled on for twenty minutes about “paternal rights,” “family stability,” and painting Sarah as an overworked nurse incapable of supervision.
Then Michael’s lead counsel stood up.
“Your Honor, we move to dismiss the plaintiff’s petition based on fraudulent intent and malicious abandonment,” the attorney stated clearly, handing up a thick stack of verified documents. “Furthermore, we present exhibit A: certified bank records proving Mr. Mitchell’s current gambling debts exceed ninety thousand dollars, along with text message logs demanding twenty-five thousand dollars from the defendant under threat of this exact custody lawsuit.”
Thomas’s face drained of color. He shot up from his chair. “That’s a lie! Those texts are out of context!”
“Sit down, Mr. Mitchell,” Judge Vance commanded sharply, her voice like cracking ice. She flipped through the financial trails, her expression darkening with every page.
“You abandoned your wife and child for five years without financial support,” Judge Vance read aloud from the case history. “You returned only when an inheritance asset was logged in the minor child’s name. And now you attempt to use this court as a collection agency.”
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Thomas stammered, sweating profusely under his cheap collar. “Your Honor—my rights—!”
“Your rights were forfeited the moment you treated your daughter as collateral,” Judge Vance ruled, slamming her gavel down with a sharp crack. “Petition for joint custody is permanently denied. Furthermore, a restraining order is issued prohibiting Mr. Mitchell from coming within five hundred yards of Sarah or Lily Mitchell. Court is adjourned.”
