The wiper blades swept across the windshield with a rhythmic, rhythmic thwack-thwack, slicing through the grey sheets of rain that lashed against the Mercedes.

With the discovery of the holographic will, the legal tides turned dramatically in Drew’s favor, but the war was far from over.

Two days later, a formal preliminary custody hearing was convened at the County Family Court in downtown Chicago.

The courtroom was sealed to the press, but the air inside was thick with tension.

Marcus Kane sat at the defense table, wearing a dark navy suit, surrounded by six top-tier defense attorneys led by a ruthless litigation lawyer named Harold Sterling (no relation to the Senator).

Drew sat at the petitioner's table, wearing a crisp black suit, with Sarah sitting beside him, holding his hand tightly beneath the desk. Toby was being looked after by Mrs. Gable in the private family waiting room down the hall.

Judge Katherine Ross—a sharp, formidable woman in her late fifties—sat on the elevated bench, reviewing the thick stacks of evidence submitted by both sides.

"Mr. Vance," Judge Ross said, looking down over her reading glasses at Julian. "You are asking this court to grant temporary emergency guardianship of two minor children to Mr. Drew Mercer—a man who has no blood relation to the children and who has only known them for seventy-two hours?"

"That is correct, Your Honor," Julian stood up, bowing slightly. "Under the provisions of the newly discovered holographic codicil written by the children's late mother, Marcus Kane was explicitly stripped of all custodial rights due to documented domestic abuse and financial fraud."

"That codicil is an obvious forgery!" Harold Sterling barked, standing up from the defense table. "Your Honor, Mr. Mercer is a multi-billionaire shipping mogul who is actively trying to launch a hostile takeover of Miller Maritime Logistics! He is using these traumatized children as pawns to seize Terminal 4!"

Marcus Kane leaned forward, putting on a performance of grief and concern that made Drew’s stomach turn. "Your Honor... I love those children. Sarah has been suffering from severe emotional trauma since her mother died. She ran away in a state of confusion. Mr. Mercer is exploiting her state of mind for corporate gain!"

Judge Ross slammed her gavel once. "Silence in my courtroom, Mr. Kane!"

The judge looked down at Sarah, her expression softening into one of gentle concern.

"Sarah," Judge Ross said softly. "Would you be willing to step up to the podium and speak to me?"

Sarah looked at Drew, her eyes wide with apprehension. Drew squeezed her hand gently, giving her an encouraging nod. "Go ahead, Sarah. Tell her the truth. I'm right here."

Sarah stood up, her small shoes clicking against the wooden floorboards as she walked to the central podium. She stood tall, though her chin barely cleared the wooden ledge.

"Sarah," Judge Ross asked kindly. "Can you tell me what happened the night you left your home?"

Sarah took a deep breath, her small voice echoing clearly in the quiet courtroom.

"Marcus locked me in the attic room," Sarah said, her voice remarkably steady. "He took Toby's formula away because Toby was crying too loud. I heard him telling a man on the phone that he was going to send Toby away to an institution where nobody would find him. I used a screwdriver to open the window lock, took Toby, and climbed down the fire ladder."

Marcus Kane stood up abruptly, his face flushed red. "She's lying! This is coached testimony!"

"SIT DOWN, MR. KANE!" Judge Ross roared, her voice shaking the courtroom walls as she struck the gavel three times in rapid succession. "One more outburst from you or your legal counsel, and I will have you removed in cuffs for contempt!"

Marcus sank back into his chair, his jaw clenched, his eyes glaring at Sarah with pure hatred.

Judge Ross looked back down at the young girl. "And how do you feel staying with Mr. Mercer, Sarah?"

Sarah turned her head, looking over at Drew, who was watching her with a warm, proud smile.

"Drew gave us a warm bed," Sarah said softly, her eyes glistening with tears. "He made Toby's fever go away. He promised nobody would ever hurt us again. And Drew doesn't lie."

Judge Ross nodded slowly, her face set in absolute resolve. She picked up her pen and signed the primary order lying on her desk.

"This court finds overwhelming cause to grant immediate, exclusive temporary guardianship of Sarah and Toby Miller to Mr. Drew Mercer," Judge Ross declared. "Marcus Kane is ordered to surrender all personal documents, passports, and trust keys within twelve hours, and a five-hundred-yard protective order is issued immediately!"

Sarah let out a soft gasp, flying across the room and throwing her arms around Drew’s waist. Drew held her tightly, looking over her shoulder at Marcus Kane, whose face was distorted in a mask of absolute, furious rage.