Page 31 of Blindside

“Your honor, my clients have informed me that Mr. Morgan did not proceed through the correct adoption channels and be vetted for the adoption.”

“What are you saying, Mr. Sutton?” The judge asks as she leans forward in her seat.

“Mr. Morgan paid a member of the agency, Mr. Jackson Rathborne to obtain the care of the child—”

“Where’s your proof?” Devon’s lawyer demands. I know without him saying it, he has none because Katie hacked Jackson’s computer illegally.

“We were informed from a reliable source,” their lawyer states.

“Is your source here?” the lawyer taunts. Sutton’s eyes narrow.

“No,” he grits out through clenched teeth.

“Without proof, Mr. Sutton, your accusations are nothing but hearsay,” the judge announces. I spy Katie out of the corner of my eye trying to stand, my eyes widen the moment I see Crue clamp a hand over her mouth to keep her quiet. “Without any proof, there is no case here. This is a closed adoption that the mother and the father both signed away their rights. The child in question shouldn’t even be in the courtroom.” I shoot the bitch a glare. “I’m inclined to rule in favor of Mr. Morgan receiving compensation for his time and the stress this must have caused him.” The judge bangs her gavel and calls for the next case. Devon shakes his lawyer’s hands, I look to my friends, they all look shocked and fucking furious.

“Let’s go, boy,” Devon says as he tries to pass by me but I stop him with a hand to his chest.

“No can-do, Pops, we’re the next case.”

“Gentlemen, would you care to explain why you are my next case?” the judge asks. Devon’s gaze bores into mine, I smile wide as I whisper low enough for only him to hear.

“I won, motherfucker. Enjoy rotting in a cell, you piece of shit.”

“Yes, your honor,” Troy says as he moves across to the other side of the room and stands next to Mr. Sutton. “We are here to appeal to the court to terminate the rights of Mr. Devon Morgan as the Guardian of Adalyn Faith Hastings-Morgan.”

“You can’t do that!” Devon shouts.

“Sit down, Mr. Morgan, another outburst like that and I will have you remanded into custody.” Devon grits his teeth and nods as he lowers into his seat. “I want to know why you are wasting my time Mr. Hughes?”

Troy nods and starts grabbing papers from his briefcase. He motions for one of the guys standing at the side of the courtroom to come and grab them. The guy hands the papers to the judge as Troy begins to explain. “As you can see there in front of you, the child in question was adopted illegally. Mr. Morgan and Mr. Rathborne are both linked to numerous illegal adoptions.” Devon stiffens beside me. I got you this time motherfucker.

“This is all well and good counselor but how was this obtained?” the judge asks.

“I would like to call a witness to the stand, your honor, who will be able to explain.”

“I’m not in the habit of going against court protocol but given the alarming information in these documents, I’ll allow it this time.” Troy nods.

“I’d like to call Saint Morgan to the stand.” My friends all gasp as I climb to my feet. Devon grips my hand, drawing my gaze back to him.

“I’ll end that bastard and you, boy,” he hisses low enough for only me to hear.

I yank my hand free. “You will be rotting a cell by the end of the day, you bastard,” I seethe as I turn and make my way to the stand.

“Uh, Mr. Morgan, I cannot allow a child to take the stand with you.” I nod my head. Devon stands thinking I’ll hand Addy to him, stupid fuck. I undo the carrier and step toward Crue and Katie,. They both stare up at me with wide eyes as I gently hand Addy to Crue.

“Trust me, I swear I have a plan,” I whisper as Crue cradles Addy against his chest, the look on his face as he stares down at our daughter is a look I’ll never forget. I can’t look at Katie or I’ll crumble. I make my way to the stand and swear my oath on the bible before I take a seat and wait for Troy to question me. I see Devon and his lawyer speaking in hushed tones, trying to come up with a plan to get his ass out of this mess. He can’t, not this time.

“Mr. Morgan, can you please state your name, relationship to the defendant, and your relationship to the child for the record of the courts.”

I do as Troy says. “My name is Saint Morgan. Devon Morgan is my father and my relationship with Adalyn Hastings-Morgan is…” My gaze strays to Crue and Katie, they both stare at me with worry in each of their gazes. What I’m about to say next is going to change things, but it will never change how I feel toward her. “Glorified uncle.” Crue’s eyes are the size of dinner plates and tears fill Katie’s. I turn to my father and smile, trump card, motherfucker.

Adalyn isn’t my daughter biologically.

“Can you explain how you were able to obtain the information that was just presented to the court?”

“Yes. While I was staying with my father, who admitted to me himself that Adalyn was adopted illegally, I was granted access to his computer which is when I stumbled upon all the information that was just presented. I also learned that before my company, BCD’S which I co-own with my best friends, acquired my father’s company, he was also distributing illegal videos of underage children and selling them through his app,EyeSpy.”

Gasps sound out around the court. If looks could kill, the way Devon is looking at me would see me burnt at the stake. “You have evidence of this confession?” Devon’s lawyer cuts in and asks.

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