Chapter 10 - The Hearing Grant Tried to Turn Against Lena
Grant filed for emergency custody from federal detention.
His attorney claimed Lena was making unstable financial decisions while experiencing postpartum distress. The petition described her sale of Arden House as irrational and vindictive.
It omitted the forged medical declaration.
It omitted the secret loan.
It omitted Arden Infant Holdings.
The hearing took place four days later.
Grant appeared by secure video from a detention facility. Vivian sat beside her own attorney at the opposite end of the courtroom.
Lena entered carrying no child.
Ava remained with Mrs. Ellis and two protective officers at a confidential location.
Grant’s attorney stood.
“My client is deeply concerned that Mrs. Arden has become consumed by conspiracy theories involving her late grandmother, hidden vaults and financial organizations.”
Lena listened without reacting.
The attorney continued.
“She sold the family residence during an emotional confrontation, depriving the child of a stable home.”
The judge looked at Noah.
“Was the sale legally valid?”
“Yes, Your Honor.”
“Was Mrs. Arden the sole owner authorized to sell?”
“Yes.”
“Did Mr. Arden possess any ownership interest?”
“No.”
Grant’s attorney shifted direction.
“Legal ownership does not determine whether a decision benefits a newborn child.”
Noah opened a folder.
“The sale prevented Crown Meridian Capital from enforcing a fraudulent security filing created through forged documents.”
The judge examined the filings.
Grant’s attorney objected.
The judge overruled him.
Noah displayed the nursery recording.
Grant’s voice filled the courtroom.
If Lena sells the estate, the second agreement activates.
Then Vivian’s voice.
She won’t sell.
The judge watched the full clip.
Grant looked down from the video screen.
Noah presented the signature practice sheet, hospital forms and corporate records for Arden Infant Holdings.
The judge removed her glasses.
“Mr. Arden, did you establish a company using your newborn daughter’s identity?”
Grant’s attorney advised him not to answer.
Grant ignored him.
“Yes.”
“Did your wife consent?”
“No.”
“Did you receive funds through that company?”
“Yes.”
“How much?”
“Twelve million dollars.”
Murmurs spread through the courtroom.
The judge called for silence.
Grant leaned toward the camera.
“I did not keep the money.”
“That is not the question,” the judge said.
“It went directly to Mercer Ridge’s creditors.”
“You used your daughter as a financial instrument.”
“I was told the company was temporary.”
“By whom?”
Grant glanced toward Vivian.
“Crown Meridian.”
The judge turned to Lena.
“Mrs. Arden, do you intend to deny Mr. Arden all future contact with the child?”
Lena stood.
“I intend to protect Ava. I will follow any safe arrangement the court believes is in her best interest after a full investigation.”
Grant looked at her.
For the first time since she had left the mansion, his anger disappeared.
He seemed to understand that she was not trying to destroy him.
She simply no longer trusted him.
The judge suspended Grant’s parental access pending the criminal and psychological evaluations. Any future contact would require supervision.
Lena received temporary sole custody.
Vivian was prohibited from contacting Ava.
It should have felt like victory.
Instead, as Lena left the courtroom, a woman approached Noah.
She wore a gray suit and carried credentials from the Department of Financial Crimes.
“Mr. Hale, we need Mrs. Arden’s cooperation.”
“With what?”
“The East Vault.”
Lena looked at her.
“The house belongs to Halcyon now.”
“Yes,” the woman replied. “But the vault’s contents may belong to your daughter.”
“How?”
“We traced the voting certificate mentioned in Celeste’s recording.”
“And?”
“It does not identify Ava as the original beneficiary.”
Lena remembered Vivian’s words.
Not your child.
“Who does it identify?”
The investigator handed her a sealed file.
“We cannot open the identity record without your authorization.”
May you like
“Why mine?”
“Because the original beneficiary shares your DNA.”
