Chapter 5 - The Hearing
The Multnomah County Family Courthouse was a majestic, intimidating building of gray granite and towering marble pillars.
On Monday morning, Courtroom 402 was quiet, lit by high arched windows that looked out over the gray Portland sky.
Julia sat at the defense table in a neat dark blue suit, her hands clasped tightly on the wood. Beside her sat Sarah Vance, calm, composed, and formidable. Jackson sat in the front row of the gallery behind them, wearing a dark suit, his presence an immovable pillar of support.
Across the aisle sat Chase and his attorney, a greasy man named Miller who kept adjusting his cheap polyester tie and shuffling a disorganized stack of papers.
Judge Katherine Williams—a sharp-eyed woman in her late fifties with silver hair—sat on the bench, reviewing the case file through her reading glasses.
"We are here in the matter of Cooper v. Miller," Judge Williams announced, her voice echoing in the solemn room. "Petition for emergency custody modification and protective orders. Mr. Miller, as the petitioner’s counsel, you have ten minutes to present your arguments."
Chase’s attorney stood up, smoothing his jacket with a confident flourish.
"Your Honor," Miller began, stepping toward the podium. "My client, Chase Miller, is a loving father who was wrongfully alienated from his daughter’s life due to financial hardship. Now, we see Ms. Cooper engaging in an improper, co-dependent relationship with a high-profile billionaire, Mr. Jackson Reed. We contend that Ms. Cooper is neglecting her parental duties, working erratic hours, and allowing an unvetted stranger access to a six-year-old child in exchange for financial patronage!"
Judge Williams raised an eyebrow, looking over the top of her glasses. "Do you have evidence of neglect, counselor?"
"We have work logs showing Ms. Cooper worked seventy hours a week at Portland General!" Miller declared triumphantly. "She leaves the child with elderly volunteers and wealthy strangers!"
"Thank you, counselor," Judge Williams said flatly. "Ms. Vance?"
Sarah Vance stood up smoothly, picking up a clean, leather-bound binder.
"Your Honor," Sarah began, her tone measured, authoritative, and utterly devoid of melodrama. "Let us address the facts. For seven months, Mr. Chase Miller provided zero dollars in child support. He ignored four registered letters regarding custody mediation. He missed his daughter's sixth birthday, her school plays, and her medical checkups."
Sarah stepped forward, handing a set of certified documents to the bailiff.
"Furthermore, we submit bank records showing that three days after learning of Mr. Jackson Reed's charitable involvement with the Maple Street Community Center, Mr. Miller sent text messages directly attempting to extort funds from my client under threat of taking her daughter away."
Judge Williams scanned the text printouts, her expression hardening into stone.
"In addition," Sarah continued, "we have sworn affidavits from Alma Higgins, Director of the Maple Street Community Center, confirming that Mr. Reed's involvement was purely through an established, audited public transit charity program that benefits twenty-four low-income families in East Portland."
Sarah turned, looking directly at Chase, who was squirming in his chair.
"Finally, Your Honor, we present a certified criminal background check showing that Mr. Miller has two active warrants in Washington State for unpaid gambling debts and failure to appear."
Chase’s attorney’s jaw dropped. He whipped his head around to glare at Chase, who turned white as a sheet, staring down at his lap.
Judge Williams set her glasses down on her desk with a sharp, echoing snap.
"Mr. Miller," Judge Williams said, her voice dripping with icy disdain as she glared at Chase's attorney. "This court does not tolerate extortion disguised as parental concern. Your petition for custody modification is dismissed with prejudice."
She turned her gaze onto Chase.
"Mr. Chase Miller, you are ordered to pay nine thousand four hundred dollars in back child support within thirty days. A permanent, five-year restraining order is hereby issued. You are prohibited from coming within five hundred feet of Julia Cooper, Maddie Cooper, their residence, school, or place of employment. If you violate this order, you will be remanded directly into custody."
Gavel banged down. SLAM.
"Court is adjourned."
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Julia let out a long, ragged breath she felt like she had been holding for seven months. Tears of overwhelming relief flooded her eyes. She turned around in her chair, and Jackson was already there.
He didn't care about the remaining onlookers or the court reporters in the gallery. He reached out, pulling Julia into a tight, fierce embrace. Julia wrapped her arms around his neck, burying her face in his shoulder, sobbing quietly as the terrifying shadow that had hovered over her life was finally ripped away forever.
