Chapter 2 - The Question Across the Bar
Judge Thorne, a formidable woman in her sixties with sharp blue eyes, short blonde hair, and an intimidating black judicial robe, leaned forward over the elevated wooden bench.
She peerlessly adjusted her half-moon spectacles, looking past Julian’s expensive legal team directly at the solitary woman weeping at the defense table.
“Mrs. Vance,” Judge Thorne’s stern, authoritative voice cut through the muffled whispers of the gallery. “Where is your attorney? You were instructed at the preliminary hearing that self-representation in a high-conflict custody trial is strongly discouraged.”
Evelyn swallowed hard, trying to steady her trembling lower lip. She opened her mouth to explain that her legal counsel had withdrawn thirty-six hours prior after Julian threatened to destroy the lawyer’s firm with frivolous malpractice lawsuits. But before she could utter a single word, Julian stepped slightly closer to the wooden bar separating the tables.
While keeping his upper body turned toward the judge, Julian cast a fast, razor-sharp glare down at six-year-old Noah. His lips moved subtly in a silent, icy threat meant only for his son’s eyes.
Remember what we practiced, Julian mouthed silently, his eyes narrowing into cold slits before snapping his gaze back to the judge with an innocent expression.
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Evelyn felt Noah’s small body tense beside her. Julian had spent the last three weekends rehearsing a specific story with Noah—a scripted lie claiming Evelyn threw glass bottles and screamed at night, threatening the boy with isolation if he dared step out of line.
👉 Read PART 3 to see the shocking move little Noah made right in front of the judge!
