Chapter 6 - The Fall of the House of Hayes
"Order!" the judge shouted, banging the gavel as my father lunged toward our table. Two bailiffs immediately stepped forward, placing their hands on their holsters. My father froze, breathing heavily, his face purple with rage.
"Mr. Hayes, sit down before I hold you in contempt," the judge warned.
My mother was shaking, her perfectly manicured hands gripping her designer purse like a lifeline. "Richard, do something," she whimpered. "Tell them it's a lie."
But it wasn't a lie. My phone buzzed in my pocket. It was a text from an old contact in the local police department. Raid is done. They found the secondary ledgers in the home safe. Warrants being issued now.
The judge reviewed the documents Marcus had provided. His expression turned from annoyance to sheer disbelief. "Mr. Vance," the judge looked at Marcus, "these are serious allegations. Wire fraud, embezzlement of your client's military savings, forgery of a power of attorney..."
"We have digital proof, Your Honor. The FBI is currently verifying it," Marcus said clearly, his voice echoing in the quiet courtroom. "Furthermore, my clients were the victims of an illegal eviction. We will be filing civil suits for the return of the property, but for now, I ask that this absurd custody petition be thrown out."
"Petition denied. Case dismissed," the judge said swiftly. "And Mr. Hayes? I suggest you call a criminal defense attorney. You're going to need one."
As we walked out of the courtroom, the hallway was a blur of chaos. My parents' lawyer was frantically packing his briefcase, telling my father he didn't handle federal crimes and quitting on the spot.
My mother ran up to me, grabbing my arm. There was real panic in her eyes now. The arrogance had melted away, leaving only a pathetic, desperate woman. "Jacob, please," she cried, tears ruining her expensive makeup. "You have to stop this. We're your family! You can't send your father to prison!"
I looked down at the hand holding my arm. Then I looked at Emily, who was standing tall, holding Sophie safely against her chest. I gently but firmly peeled my mother's fingers off my jacket.
"You said it yourself, Mom," I replied, my voice steady and cold. "Emily and Sophie are my family. You? You're just the people who stole from me."
May you like
Before she could respond, the elevator doors at the end of the hall opened. Four men in suits walked out. FBI agents. They bypassed me entirely and walked straight to my father. "Richard Hayes? You are under arrest for federal wire fraud and tax evasion. Turn around and place your hands behind your back."
My father didn't fight. He just looked at me, a mixture of hatred and shock in his eyes, as the steel cuffs clicked around his wrists. My mother screamed as they led him away. I didn't blink. I just put my arm around Emily and walked out into the sunlight.
