I shot out of my seat. “I’ll die before I give you full custody.”
“What do you think the judge is going to say about you running off to Japan with a man you just met?”
“I think he’s going to say it’s not as bad as sleeping with half of Nashville and using cocaine.”
“Enough,” George shouted.
I blinked and looked his way. I’d never heard George yell the entire time he’d handled cases for me.
Lionel snorted and crossed his arms.
Sinking back into my chair, I kept my angry gaze on my ex-husband. Even though I wasn’t yelling, I still trembled in anger.
Lionel’s lawyer cleared his throat. “Now, I think both sides have good evidence of questionable moral character. So this doesn’t change much.” His voice wavered toward the end.
“Oh, you think so?” George said.
We all looked over at him.
“What do you think’s going to happen when we go to the judge and explain that the good Mr. Blue here has just impregnated a twenty-one-year-old woman? And that you have a history of drug use?”
Lionel’s lawyer winced.
Lionel’s face reddened, and his eyes widened. “How do you even know about that?”
“And for that matter,” George continued, “do you honestly think the judge won’t be interested in the fact that your client is being investigated for insider trading and massive financial fraud?” He laughed. “Talk about questionable moral fiber. I guess he hasn’t been caught stealing from orphans…yet.”
I sat there, my mouth open, staring at George. Pregnant girlfriend? Insider trading? Fraud? The pieces slid into place in my mind. I finally understood what Lionel was up to all along. And a history of drugs? The guy should have been smart enough to stay away to begin with.
“You bastard,” I hissed, turning to face Lionel. “Oh, I see now. Your big plan was to bully me into getting back together so you could take some of my money, and what, give it to your girlfriend and use it to pay for your defense?”
“Worse than that, Emily,” George said, the glee in his voice obvious now. “The investigators have frozen his accounts. I think he wanted a new sugar mama.” He laughed. “Oh, what a sad, sad man.”
Lionel slumped forward, his face in his hand. “This isn’t over. You’re going to get back together with me, or I’ll make your life a living hell. I will—”
“Shut your mouth, Lionel,” I snapped.
“Yes, I think that’s good advice,” George said. “Now, here’s the thing, Mr. Blue, you’re going to sign that fine little document there for temporary full custody.” He looked over at me. “I’m assuming once this all settles down, you’re willing to entertain visitation rights, Emily?”
I nodded once and then smirked at Lionel. “I don’t think my daughter should be around you without supervision until we’re sure you’re not going to prison. From what I’ve heard, you’re looking at more time than Martin Shkreli.”
“It’s a good deal,” George said. “In light of your situation, we’re not even going to ask for any child support.”
“She has plenty of money,” Lionel said through gritted teeth.
“Yes, of course you’d say that, but it doesn’t change the fact that we could get some child support, Mr. Blue.”
“And,” I added, “it seems like you could really use every cent.”
Lionel’s breathing grew ragged. “You haven’t won, Emily. I can win. You’re just being selfish. Not thinking of the family. I’ll win in court.”
“No,” George said. “You won’t. And if you so much as come near my client until this matter is settled, I’ll make sure you’re buried in court for the rest of your life.”
“You going to spend that much money on your lawyer to annoy me, Emily?” He snorted. “What’s this, petty revenge?”
“She doesn’t need to,” George said. “I’ve been informed that any legal fees related to Emily and Juniper will be paid for by Mr. Logan Hawkins.” He leaned forward. “And I think a billionaire can afford my hourly rates just fine, Mr. Blue.”
The mention of Logan gave me a start. How did he even know about any of this?