Chapter 5 - The Ambush at the Clinic
The following afternoon, Victoria Sterling scheduled an emergency petition for temporary guardianship of Madison at the Cook County Family Court. However, Julian Harper wasn't going down without a fight.
While Christopher was at a pediatric physical therapy clinic with Madison, two process servers accompanied by a private investigator hired by Julian blocked the entrance to the clinic parking garage.
Julian stepped out from behind a black SUV, holding a camera phone up to record the encounter.
"Christopher Pierce!" Julian shouted, attempting to cause a scene in front of gathering bystanders and reporters. "You are illegally detaining a minor—Madison Harper! You have no legal custody, no legal adoption papers, and no blood relation!"
Christopher calmly ushered Mrs. Alvarez and the triplets inside the clinic doors, while he stayed outside, standing in front of Madison’s specialized accessible van.
"Julian, you are violating a temporary restraining order," Christopher said, keeping his voice dead calm as he pulled out his own phone.
"I am her legal uncle!" Julian yelled, stepping closer to the van window where Madison sat inside. "She belongs in a state facility until the Harper family estate is settled! You’re just keeping her to protect yourself from paying out her mother's trust fund!"
Madison pressed herself back into her van seat, terrified as Julian tapped aggressively on the glass window.
That was the final straw.
Christopher stepped in front of Julian, grabbing his wrist with an iron grip and forcing his arm down.
"Touch that glass again, and I won't wait for the court order," Christopher said, his voice dropping into a register that made Julian’s private investigator step back. "I know about the illegal loans you took out in Nassau, Julian. I know about the offshore accounts you opened using your deceased sister's forged signature."
Julian’s face turned white. "You... you don't know anything."
"My forensic accountants spent all night reviewing Sarah's bank records," Christopher revealed, leaning in close. "You didn't come for the children, Julian. You came because you stole two hundred thousand dollars from Sarah's medical fund six months ago, and you knew her death would trigger an automatic audit. You needed custody of the kids to cover up your embezzlement."
Julian pulled his arm back, his eyes darting frantically toward his private investigator.
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At that moment, two police cruisers pulled into the parking lot with their lights flashing. Victoria Sterling stepped out of the lead cruiser holding an emergency warrant signed by a state judge.
"Julian Harper," Victoria announced clearly. "You are under arrest for grand larceny, forgery, and violation of an emergency protective order."
