CHAPTER 164: CUSTODY BATTLE II

Third Person POV

"In cases like that, both parties would agree to follow through with the arrangement," Isolde’s lawyer countered.

"How can you be so sure that they didn’t agree to the arrangement?" Silas’s lawyer shot to his feet. "Your honour, it is mere speculation to say that Miss Greye didn’t agree to the arrangement."

"If she agreed to the arrangement," Isolde’s lawyer turned to him, "Then why did she run? Why did she hide and refuse to return until Ms Knox found her?’

"Your honour," Silas’s lawyer leapt up again. "I think the defence counsel is trying to distract the court from the fact that Miss Greye was a minor who was manipulated into transferring her guardianship to Ms Knox."

Gasps came from the audience. Even the reporters looked shocked.

"Miss Greye was eighteen years old before she met with Ms Knox for the first time. She legally chose to be adopted by my client. She signed all the papers willingly, with full understanding of what she was doing."

"What does an eighteen-year-old who has been sheltered all her life know about making decisions like that?" Silas’s lawyer scoffed. "She was manipulated."

Alpha Silas tried to stand up, but he was too weak. His lawyer had to speak for him. "Those allegations are completely false! We have medical records showing Charis was never injured in our home. And the marriage arrangement with Prince Darian was discussed, not forced."

Isolde’s lawyer smiled coldly. "Medical records that your family doctor wrote? How convenient. And let me ask this: if your daughter was so happy, why did she create a completely false identity to hide from you? Why did she bind her chest and cut her hair to live as a boy for months?"

The courtroom erupted in surprised voices. This was the first time many people had heard about Charis’s disguise.

"She was so desperate to escape your control," Isolde’s lawyer pressed on, "that she was willing to give up her identity as a woman entirely. What kind of loving parents drive their child to such extreme measures?"

Alpha Silas’s lawyer objected. "Your Honour, there’s no proof that Miss Greye ever lived under a false identity. These are just wild stories meant to confuse the court."

Isolde’s lead lawyer chuckled. "Just because you don’t know doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. There is a school record from Ravenshore Academy showing enrollment for one "Eamon Riggs."

As she spoke, the team were already producing pictures of Eamon Riggs that showed it was Charis in disguise.

"Here’s your proof," Isolde’s lawyer said. "For four months, Charis lived as this boy to avoid being found by her family. She excelled in school, made friends, and found happiness, until she was wrongly accused. Your honour, we submit into evidence proof of Charis Greye’s enrollment and residence under the alias Eamon Riggs, which supports our claim that she concealed her identity for reasons of safety."

Immediately, Silas’s lawyer stood.

"Objection, Your Honour. This material was not recorded in the evidence schedule before the trial. It is therefore inadmissible at this stage and irrelevant to the central question of unlawful detention."

The judge raised a hand, silencing the murmurs that swept through the courtroom.

"The objection is well taken. Evidence must be disclosed through proper procedure and entered into the record in accordance with due process. While the court acknowledges the defence’s intent, no document can be considered unless formally submitted through the clerk’s office and verified in the evidentiary record. Counsel for the defence is directed to file the proper motion and supporting affidavit before this material may be admitted. Until then, the court will not consider it."

"Also," the judge continued, "This case involves complex questions about parental rights, adult autonomy, and the definition of abuse. I need time to review all the evidence properly."

He banged his gavel. "This case is adjourned for one week. When we reconvene, I want Miss Charis Greye present in this courtroom. She’s an adult, and she has the right to speak for herself about everything."

After the court session ended and people began filing out of the courtroom, Isolde rose to her feet, wearing a calm expression. She was impressed by the number of news outlets that had attended today’s court session, given how urgent the call had come.

She knew more than anyone that since everything would go public, Alpha Silas would be too busy running PR, and everyone else would be too preoccupied with the case to note little things.

"Ms Knox," her lead lawyer tapped her slightly on the arm, calling her attention, and Isolde turned to her with a smile. "We were supposed to use Charis’s identity as Eamon as the last move. Why did you suddenly change your mind?"

"Oh, I’m sorry for the last-minute change, but after some considerations for Charis, especially, we decided she should suffer once and for all and don’t worry, she’s willing to follow through with the investigation."

"She might be indicted for forging her documentation into Ravenshore, not just her, but a lot of people might get involved, and Alpha Silas and his lawyer might use this opportunity..."

"You worry too much, Misha," Isolde reached for the lead lawyer’s hand, squeezing it comfortingly. "First, I have so much faith and trust in you, and I’m sure with your expertise, we’d win this case. We need to garner public sympathy, and you know how that works."

Misha sighed. "The case would drag on for longer. We would have won regardless, without trying to garner pity from the public. It’s Charis’s words against theirs, but fine, I guess I should prepare the team for the long ride, and can you schedule a meeting with Charis and me? We need to go through a lot of prepping before she appears in court."

"Of course, dear, I will," Isolde said calmly, lifting Misha’s hand to her lips and kissing the back of it slowly, letting the kiss linger before dropping Misha’s hand and moving away.

As she walked away, there was a satisfied smile on her face; things were working as she wanted.

As she was walking toward the exit, someone touched her arm, and Isolde turned to see Eva Greye standing there, looking nervous and scared.

"Could we have a word?" Eva asked quietly.

Isolde smiled, though her eyes stayed cold. "Of course."

Eva looked around at all the people still leaving the courtroom. "Not here. I can’t say anything here."

She pressed something into Isolde’s hand; it was a business card for a local coffee shop. Then she walked away quickly, rejoining her sick husband.

Isolde waited until she was in her car to look at the card. On the back, written in Eva’s neat handwriting, was a note: "Meet me at the coffee shop two blocks from here. I’ll be waiting."

Isolde stared at the message for a long moment.

Eva Greye’s desire for a secret meeting could mean several things. She stared at the card while a lot of thought whirled through her. She knew the meeting with Eva would come to no good and wanted to refuse, but she couldn’t fight the curiosity swelling inside her.

After a few minutes, she leaned forward to talk to her assistant.

"There’s a small coffee shop, two blocks from here, let’s go there and have a chat with Eva Greye. It’s called ’Midnight Cones’. The driver nodded and set the car in motion. A while later, the driver parked in front of the coffee shop.

It was a small coffee shop, indeed, but it was the kind of place that served expensive drinks to people who wanted to appear necessary while having private conversations. She adjusted her clothing and walked inside.

A waiter met her at the door and, after confirming her name, escorted her to their reserved table.

Eva was already there, sitting in a corner booth with her back to the wall. She had changed out of her court clothes into jeans and a sweater, trying to look normal. But her hands were shaking as she held her coffee cup.

Isolde sat down across from her. "This is unexpected. I never thought this day would come, Eva Greye. What do you want?"

Eva managed a watery smile at Isolde and lifted her hand, trying to get the attention of a waiter. "What would you like to have?" Eva asked her as soon as the waiter arrived.

Isolde could tell Eva was shaking and was trying her hardest not to show it. Deciding to follow her cue, Eva turned to the waiter and smiled.

"What do you recommend?" she asked the waiter.

"Uhm, you should try our special, Elixir Latte, it’s the creamy lavender-vanilla latte swirled with edible chocolate dust and topped with a drizzle of honey. The lavender gives calmness..."

"I’m sure it’ll be wonderful," Isolde stopped the waiter halfway. "May I have that and some muffins?"

The waiter nodded with a smile and promised to be back shortly. After she left, Isolde turned her attention back to Eva and saw that the woman was watching her. Isolde studied Eva, sighing inwardly at how beautiful Eva used to be and how captivated she’d been by her when she first met her.

But now she was a shadow of herself.

"So," Isolde broke the silence, "why did you want to see me?"

"Why?" tears welled up in Eva’s eyes. "You promised me that you would not come to me ever again. Why are you in the middle of this mess? And why are you involving my daughter?"

"Ah, ah, ah..." Isolde chuckled, "Don’t get ahead of yourself, Eva. First, Charis is not your daughter, and second, I don’t remember promising never to approach you; we did not have that sort of agreement."