Judge Barrett appeared in the doorway behind him, her arms crossed over her judicial robes. “Mr. Albright!”
He froze in his tracks immediately.
The judge’s authoritative voice echoed through the marble hallway. “Temporary emergency protective orders are now fully in effect, meaning you are strictly forbidden from contacting Mrs. Albright or your daughter outside of court-approved, supervised channels pending this criminal investigation.”
“She is my biological child!” Gabriel yelled back defensively.
“She is a human child, Mr. Albright, not a strategic tool for you to manipulate,” Judge Barrett replied with severe disdain.
Bianca stared fixedly at the floor tiles, refusing to make eye contact with anyone near the elevator bank.
Gabriel’s face twisted into an expression of intense rage. “This is all because of Emma! She poisoned my own daughter’s mind against me!”
Daisy suddenly stood up straight from the bench, her small knees shaking visibly, though her voice rang out with surprising clarity. “Mommy Penelope didn’t even know I came here today!”
