Gabriel instantly stood up from his chair in anger. “That is emotional manipulation, Your Honor! She is completely unstable and she is just trying to make me look like a monster in front of everyone!”
“Sit down right now, Mr. Albright,” the judge commanded firmly.
He sat back down immediately, but his face had quickly gone the color of old brick.
Penelope looked directly into his eyes without flinching. “You already took what mattered most to me anyway.”
Bianca’s smile returned slowly, becoming smaller now and far more private as she smoothed her silk blouse.
Then Judge Barrett closed the heavy folder lying in front of her and folded her hands neatly.
“Before I deliver any formal ruling on this waiver,” the judge said, “there is something critical this court must address.”
She paused for a brief moment, and the entire room held its breath in complete silence.
“Before today’s hearing began, I met a little girl in the hallway near the vending machines who was crying bitterly,” the judge explained with a flat voice that landed with tremendous weight. “She whispered in my ear what her father did together with the mean lady.”
