Chapter 4: The Delivery Room Stand
The battle didn't take place in a courtroom, but in the sterile, bright lights of a private wing at Portland General Hospital. Evelyn went into labor three weeks early. The pain was an agonizing, rhythmic tide, but she endured it with a silent, jaw-clenching grit.
Just as the nurses were preparing the delivery room, the heavy double doors burst open. Preston strode in, looking disheveled but projecting his usual arrogant authority, flanked by a hospital administrator he had likely bribed or threatened.
"Evelyn," Preston breathed, stepping toward the bed, his eyes dropping to her swollen abdomen. "This madness ends now. These are my children. They are coming back to Manhattan where they belong."
Evelyn raised her hand, her voice cutting through the hum of the medical monitors like shards of glass. "Do not step another foot into this room, Preston."
Before Preston could speak, two large, imposing men in tailored black suits stepped out from the shadows of the corner seating area. They were her father’s personal security detail. Beside them stood Arthur Pendelton, the most feared family lawyer in New York.
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Pendelton stepped forward, tapping a fresh restraining order against his leather briefcase. "Mr. Vance, you are in violation of a federal court injunction signed two hours ago. Furthermore, a comprehensive audit of your firm’s financial records has been handed over to the SEC this morning, courtesy of the Vance estate. If you don't leave this state within the hour, child custody will be the very least of your concerns."
Preston’s face drained of color. He looked at the security guards, then at the unyielding, icy glare in Evelyn’s eyes. For the first time in his life, he realized his power was an illusion. Defeated and humiliated, he backed out of the room as a heavy contraction gripped Evelyn.
