Chapter 34 - The Custody Gambit
Julian moved with the blinding speed of a striking viper.
Before Christian could take another breath, Julian had crossed the floor, his hand closing around his brother’s throat, shoving him violently against the carved wainscoting of the wall. Crystal decanters rattled on the side tables. The London lawyers leaped out of their chairs in terror.
"Mention Aurelia’s name again, Christian," Julian whispered, his voice vibrating with a terrifying, subterranean fury, "and I will finish what the Alps failed to do twenty-two years ago."
"Julian! Stop!" Francesca commanded.
Julian’s chest heaved. He didn't let go immediately, his dark eyes locked onto Christian’s mocking gaze. Christian didn't even fight back; he simply smiled, gasping for air against Julian's iron grip.
"Go on... do it," Christian wheezed, his eyes gleaming with mad satisfaction. "Do it in front of the barristers. Do it in front of your precious American wife. Prove to her what you are."
Julian released him with a shove of disgust, stepping back. Christian straightened his lapels, coughing slightly, but his smirk widened.
"Aurelia is mine," Christian declared, loud enough for every lawyer in the room to hear. "She was born to Clara Davenport in Marylebone Hospital. Clara was my common-law partner. When Clara died, Julian kidnapped my daughter and fabricated adoption papers while I was comatose in Geneva. Under Italian and British family law, a surviving biological father who was unlawfully declared dead retains immediate, unconditional parental claim."
Jason stepped forward, flourishing a thick leather-bound binder. "We have the original birth certificate with Christian’s signature, Francesca. We also have a signed affidavit from the attending physician. The court in Milan has already issued a provisional summons. You hand the girl over by noon, or the Carabinieri will escort her from this palazzo in handcuffs."
"You sick bastard," Francesca hissed, glaring at Jason. "You are using an innocent four-year-old child as leverage in a hostile takeover?"
"Business is business, my dear ex-wife," Jason said with a nauseating grin. "You took my company. You took my penthouse on Park Avenue. You took my reputation. Now, I am taking Julian's empire—and Christian is taking his daughter. Let's see how well your brilliant legal brain handles that."
Julian turned to the lead barrister. "Hetherington. You have five seconds to take these vermin off my property before I have my security team throw you into the lake."
"We are leaving, Count Julian," Hetherington said hastily, gathering his papers. "But the legal summons is served. The emergency hearing is set for ten o'clock tomorrow morning at the Palazzo di Giustizia in Milan. If you fail to appear with the child, an international warrant will be issued."
Christian looked at Francesca, his eyes glinting with a twisted, mocking chivalry. "It’s a pleasure to finally meet you, Francesca. My mother spoke very highly of your intelligence in her letters. It’s a pity you chose the wrong brother. I'll see you in court."
May you like
Without waiting for a response, Christian, Nicole, and Jason turned and walked out of the palazzo, their laughter echoing through the grand courtyard beneath the pelting rain.
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