“Actually, as Leo’s legal counsel, I am very much in it,” Marcus replied, pulling out a set of stamped documents. “You see, Eleanor, when Leo legally adopted the twins three years ago, the court didn’t just strip your maternal rights due to severe abandonment—they also ordered a forensic financial audit to track down the child support you owed the state for their foster-risk care.”
Marcus smiled grimly, tapping the paperwork. “We found your wealthy husband’s offshore accounts six months ago. You owe exactly four hundred and twenty thousand dollars in back-dated child support, interest, and state penalties. If you file a single motion in a family court to contest Leo’s custody, I will personally file a criminal grand larceny and abandonment warrant against you. Your wealthy husband will find out his perfect wife is a fleeing felon before the sun sets.”
Eleanor looked at the documents, then at Marcus, and finally at me. The absolute terror in her eyes was identical to the look she had given the world the day she panicked and ran away from two crying newborns.
