Arthur: This document specifies a financial payout in exchange for parental rights surrender... handled outside of a certified adoption agency.
Richard: It was a private agreement handled by my personal legal team!
Arthur: Private or not, paying a biological parent directly to give up custody without state approval constitutes illegal child trafficking under federal law.
Margaret: Child trafficking?! In the Sterling mansion?
Eleanor: Oh my goodness, this is absolute insanity!
Mary: He threatened to take my home away if I ever told Leo the truth. He made me clean his floors while my own son was taught to call me a maid!
Leo: I don't care about the mansion, Daddy! I want to go with my mommy!
Richard reached out and grabbed Leo's shoulder roughly, pulling the boy back toward him. Leo cried out in pain as the force of the pull almost knocked him off his feet. Seeing her son in pain, Mary's instincts took over. She lunged forward and delivered a sharp, resounding slap across Richard's face. The slap echoed through the massive ballroom, shocking everyone into silence.
Mary: Keep your hands off my son!
Richard: You hit me?! You dirty, penniless servant! You just ruined your life!
Mary: My life was ruined the day I trusted a monster like you! But today, I am taking my child back!
Arthur: Richard, if you touch that child or that woman again tonight, I will personally file an emergency injunction and contact the District Attorney before morning.
Richard held his reddened cheek, his eyes glaring with pure venom at Arthur and Mary. The surrounding guests, who had once been his closest high-society allies, were now looking at him with utter disgust and contempt. Nobody moved to support him. The polished facade of the honorable billionaire had completely shattered into dust.
Richard: You think you can take him? She doesn't have a dime! She lives in a rented apartment! She can't afford a lawyer, let alone raise a child!
Arthur: She won't need a dime, Richard. I will be representing her pro bono.
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