Chapter 9 - THE MOTHER'S FIGHT
The following morning, the atmosphere inside the study was charged with toxic tension.
Victoria Vance stood before Roman and Clare, holding a legal summons that had been served at the main gate at eight o'clock sharp.
"Marcus Dawson resurfaced three days ago," Victoria reported, her expression grim. "He hired a high-profile family law attorney—the kind of attorney that costs two thousand dollars an hour."
Clare stood up from her chair, her face pale with shock and fury. "How can he afford an attorney like that? He hasn't paid a single dollar of child support in four years! He abandoned us!"
Roman’s eyes narrowed into slits of pure ice. "Julian."
Victoria nodded. "We checked the funding behind Marcus's legal representation. It traces back to a retainer account funded by Julian’s former defense team. Julian is managing his revenge from inside his jail cell. He knows he can't hurt you financially anymore, Roman, so he’s using Marcus to destroy the woman who saved you."
Clare gripped the edge of the mahogany desk so hard her knuckles turned white. "He can't take my son. He doesn't even know Owen! He left us when Owen was a week old!"
"In this state, an unmarried biological father who resurfaces can demand court-ordered visitation and temporary custody evaluations if he claims he was kept away forcefully," Victoria explained grimly. "Marcus filed an affidavit claiming Clare hid the child from him and fled the state."
"That's a lie!" Clare cried out, tears of frustration finally spilling over her eyelashes. "I filed three police reports when he vanished! I have the paper trail!"
Roman stood up, stepped around the desk, and placed his hands firmly on Clare's shoulders. The absolute terror in her eyes broke his heart, but his voice was an anchor of pure, unshakeable strength.
"Look at me, Clare," Roman commanded softly.
Clare looked up into his dark, fierce eyes.
"Nobody is taking Owen," Roman swore, his tone leaving zero room for doubt. "Not Marcus, not Julian, not all the lawyers in this country combined. I am going to buy every law firm in this city if I have to. Marcus Dawson just made the biggest mistake of his life."
"Roman," Victoria said warningly. "You cannot use corporate muscle to bypass family court. It will look like intimidation."
"I don't care how it looks," Roman snapped. "Victoria, pull up every debt, every unpaid tax, every criminal violation Marcus Dawson has committed in the last four years. Find out where he’s staying, who he’s sleeping with, and what illegal deals he’s made since he ran away."
"Already on it," Victoria said, a dark smile touching her lips. "My investigators started two hours ago."
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Roman turned back to Clare, pulling her into his arms, holding her tightly against his chest as she wept softly against his shoulder. He rested his chin against her soft hair, his arms protective and absolute.
"You fought for me in that hallway, Clare," Roman whispered into her hair. "Now it's my turn to fight for you."
