Chapter 5 - The Hearing
Forty-eight hours later, the Cook County Family Courtroom was packed with reporters, high-powered corporate attorneys, and police guards. The media had caught wind of the story: the long-lost heiress of the Vance fortune found critically ill, while her wealthy brother fought her sister for custody of the children.
Julian Vance sat at the plaintiff's table, surrounded by four attorneys in thousand-dollar suits. His face was a mask of cold confidence.
At the defendant's table sat Daniel and Rebecca. Emma sat between them, wearing a neat navy-blue dress Rebecca had bought her, her hand holding Daniel’s tightly under the table. In a portable bassinet beside Rebecca, baby Lily slept peacefully.
Judge Evelyn Gomez took her seat at the bench, her sharp eyes scanning the room. "We are here to determine temporary emergency guardianship of Emma Riley and Lily Riley, as well as temporary medical conservatorship for Sarah Vance."
Julian's lead attorney stood up immediately. "Your Honor, my client, Julian Vance, is the head of Vance Global and the blood uncle of these children. He possesses the vast financial resources required to provide them with elite care, security, and education, as well as the top medical care for his sister, Sarah."
Judge Gomez turned to Daniel and Rebecca’s attorney. "Defense?"
Their lawyer stood up calmly. "Your Honor, we do not dispute Mr. Vance’s financial wealth. However, we present to the court a sworn, dated holographic document written by Sarah Vance herself, explicitly designating her sister, Rebecca Thompson, as guardian."
The lawyer walked forward and submitted Sarah’s blue notebook, along with a certified handwriting analysis performed by a forensic expert the previous night.
Julian's lawyer attempted to object. "Your Honor, that notebook is unverified—"
"Quiet, counselor," Judge Gomez cut in, reviewing the document on her desk. She read Sarah’s heartfelt words line by line.
As the judge read, the double doors at the back of the courtroom swung open.
A medical transport team pushed a wheelchair into the room. Sitting in it, wrapped in a warm wool blanket and hooked to a portable oxygen line, was a pale, frail woman.
Emma gasped. "Mom!"
Sarah’s eyes were heavy, but they were open. The team of specialists Daniel had sent to Northwestern had managed to break her fever late the previous night, bringing her back from the brink of coma.
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The courtroom broke into loud murmurs. Julian stood up, his composure slipping for the first time. "Sarah... what are you doing here?"
Sarah raised her head slowly. Her voice was faint, but clear enough to echo through the silent room. "I am here... to protect my children... from you, Julian."
