Chapter 5 - The Frame-Up
Daniel stared at the digital document displayed on Frank’s tablet. His name, birthdate, and home address were clearly listed under a formal charge: First-Degree Kidnapping and Unlawful Detention of a Minor.
"This is absurd," Daniel snapped, turning to glare at Vanessa. "Did you call the police?"
Vanessa smiled—a cold, triumphant smirk that proved she was ten steps ahead of him. She took a slow sip of her wine. "I told you, Daniel. I took care of the situation. While you were playing knight in shining armor in East LA, my father’s legal team filed an emergency custody injunction on behalf of Noah's nearest living paternal relative."
"His nearest living paternal relative is me!" Daniel said.
"Not according to the paperwork my father's lawyers filed an hour ago," Vanessa countered smoothly. "According to state records, Maria Collins was declared an unfit mother due to her 'substance abuse history' and recent 'psychiatric episode' at your mansion. A temporary emergency guardianship was granted to Hart Enterprises' private family trust."
Daniel felt a wave of cold fury crash over him. The Hart family had deep political connections across California. Vanessa’s father, Richard Hart, was a senior board member of several municipal committees and owned major shares in local news outlets. They had manipulated the legal system in less than two hours, framing Maria as a crazy, violent addict and depicting Daniel as an accomplice who had illegally seized a child.
The front heavy mahogany doors banged open. Three LAPD officers walked into the foyer, led by a stern-looking detective with graying hair.
"Daniel Whitmore?" the detective asked, pulling a set of handcuffs from his belt. "I'm Detective Vance. We have a warrant for your arrest regarding the abduction of Noah Collins."
"Detective, this is a massive misunderstanding," Daniel said, stepping forward with his hands held visible. "The child is my nephew. His mother was brutally assaulted in this house hours ago by Vanessa Hart. She is currently at West Hollywood Presbyterian Hospital!"
Detective Vance didn't even blink. "We received a statement from Miss Hart earlier tonight, Mr. Whitmore. She reported that the housekeeper attacked her, fell into a mirror, and that you took the child from his legal caregiver without permission. You can explain your side at the station."
"Look at her!" Daniel shouted, pointing at Vanessa. "She dragged Maria through broken glass! There are bloodstains on the floor!"
Vanessa stepped forward, her eyes brimming with fake, sorrowful tears. "Detective, it was terrifying. Daniel has been under so much stress lately... he hasn't been sleeping. When Maria had her breakdown, Daniel became confused and took the poor child away. I just want everyone to be safe."
The detective turned to the two officers. "Secure Mr. Whitmore."
One of the officers stepped up, grabbed Daniel's arm, and pulled it behind his back, clicking the cold steel of a handcuff around his wrist.
"Frank!" Daniel yelled over his shoulder to his security chief. "Call Marcus Sterling immediately! Tell him to launch an emergency writ of habeas corpus and get a federal judge to seal Noah's custody file!"
"I'm on it, boss," Frank said through gritted teeth, keeping his hands carefully at his sides to avoid giving the police an excuse to arrest him as well.
As Daniel was led out of his own home in handcuffs, he looked back over his shoulder. Vanessa was standing near the grand staircase, gently waving her fingers at him with a wicked, victorious smile.
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They placed Daniel in the back of the police cruiser. As the vehicle pulled out through the iron gates, Daniel squeezed his eyes shut, forcing his mind to stay focused. Vanessa had won the first battle, but she had made a fatal mistake: she had underestimated how far Daniel would go to protect his family.
He wasn't just fighting for Noah anymore. He was going to uncover the truth about his brother Andrew, even if it meant bringing down Hart Enterprises and burning his own legacy to the ground.
