CHAPTER 6: Preparations

Emily POV

Saturday morning arrived with birds chirping and sun’s golden light spilling across the guest suite where I'd spent my first peaceful night in seven years, no Jason's cold absence, no Margaret's disapproving presence, just silence and safety wrapped around me like a blanket.

I woke to the sound of children playing around in the garden and both of my children were together in safe hands, at the moment it was all that mattered to me.

I checked my phone and found a message from Catherine Wang saying Jason signed everything, the custody hearing this afternoon was just a formality, I had won, but the word felt hollow because this wasn't about winning or losing but about survival, about reclaiming the pieces of myself Jason had slowly erased over seven years.

Richard knocked on my door carrying coffee and a tablet, saying he thought I want you to see the news before the custody hearing, and I took the tablet while the screen showed financial headlines that made my breath catch.

Blackwell Industries Stock Crashes 47% After Gala Scandal, Federal Investigation Opens into Jason Blackwell's Business Practices, Major Investors Flee Following Fraud Allegations.

I scrolled through articles watching Jason's empire crumble in real time and his company was worth less than half what it had been Friday morning while board members were resigning and investors were fleeing like rats from a sinking ship.

I asked if this was Dad's work and Richard explained it was partially Marcus but mostly Jason did this to himself since he'd built everything on lies and borrowed connections, and without me and without our family's support it all fell apart naturally.

Richard noticed my face then asked how I felt about Jason potentially facing jail time, and I thought about it, and wondered if I wanted Jason to suffer or if I just wanted revenge, but the answer surprised me when I realized I felt nothing, he's not my problem anymore.

Richard smiled and told me to get ready because we had a custody hearing at 2:00 pm and tonight was my first official board meeting as CEO of Lotus Automobile , and my stomach groaned but I was excited as I asked if I was really doing this.

He assured me I was really doing this and Sonia and Miguel were already at the office setting up my workspace since they're excited to work with me again, then he headed toward the door but paused to say he's proud of me for leaving, for coming home, for remembering who I am.

After he left I showered and dressed carefully in a professional manner. A stunning navy suit with my hair pulled back and my championship ring visible on my right hand, and the woman in on the mirror looked ready to conquer the world, maybe she was.

I found both children in the kitchen with Nathan and he'd made pancakes, actual edible pancakes, not the burned disasters Jason used to attempt on the rare mornings when he tried to help, and Ethan launched himself at me telling me Uncle Nathan taught him how to flip pancakes and he only dropped two on the floor.

Lily sat quietly at the table picking at her food and she looked up at me with uncertain eyes, asking if we have to see Daddy today at court, but I told her no sweetheart, Daddy signed papers saying you can live with me and the judge just needs to make it official.

She asked if she'll ever have to see him again and the question hurt but I understood it because Jason had destroyed Lily's trust completely by letting Vanessa abuse her, so I explained only if you want to and only with supervision, someone will always be there to make sure you're safe.

Lily's shoulders relaxed slightly and she said okay, maybe someday she'd want to see him but not yet, and I told her that's perfectly fine while Nathan caught my eye over the children's heads with his gentle expression and understanding.

At 2:00 PM we arrived at the courthouse and Catherine Wang met us at the entrance, professional and confident in her suit, confirming Jason wasn't contesting anything since he signed full custody over to me, agreed to supervised visitation every other weekend, and committed to child support of three thousand monthly, the judge just needs to approve it.

The hearing lasted twenty minutes and Judge Patricia Morrison, a stern woman in hers ixties, reviewed the documents quickly while her expression grew more disapproving with each page, then she asked if Mr. Blackwell was present and Catherine replied he chose not to attend, he'd accepted all terms.

Judge Morrison looked at me and asked if I was seeking full custody of both minor children with supervised visitation for their father, and I said yes Your Honor, then she explained she'd reviewed the evidence of neglect and the testimony regarding Ms. Brooks' treatment of the minor child Lily, and she'd also noted that both children expressed preference to live with me.

She picked up her gavel and declared full custody granted to Emily Lothan, Jason Blackwell will have supervised visitation every other weekend pending completion of mandatory parenting classes, child support set at three thousand monthly, this court is adjourned, and the gavel came down while it was over, my children were legally mine now.

Outside the courthouse the media swarmed with cameras flashing and voices shouting. Questions about custody of my children, about Jason's business collapsing, about rumors of me and Nathan. Nathan's security guided us to the car while I kept both children close and protected them from the chaos.

As we drove away Lily asked why there were so many cameras and I explained people were interested in our story, they wanted to know that we were okay now, and she asked if we're okay while I looked at both my children, Ethan smiling and relaxed, Lily uncertain but hopeful, and felt something settle in my chest.

At 6:00 PM walked into my first board meeting as CEO of Lotus Automotive Design and the conference room was filled with executives, designers, engineers, people who'd built their careers in racing and automotive technology, and every single one of them stood when I entered.

The CFO welcomed me and I took my seat at the head of the table, the position of power that was now mine, then I thanked everyone for being here and acknowledged my appointment was sudden but I looked around the table meeting each person's eyes while explaining I'm not going to pretend I have all the answers because I've been away from this world for seven years, but I know racing, I know what drivers need, and I know we can build something revolutionary together.

I pulled up my presentation, months of ideas I've been developing mentally during those long lonely years as Jason's invisible wife, and announced this is the Sophia Project while the screens lit up with designs for advanced safety technology that predicts crashes before they happen using AI and sensor arrays to automatically deploy protection milliseconds faster than current systems.

Miguel spoke first and his voice held wonder as he said this was incredible, if this works it could save dozens of lives per season, and I told him it will work because we have the resources, the talent, and the motivation, then I looked at Sonia who was grinning with pride while explaining I want to launch prototype testing in six months and full rollout in eighteen months.

The CFO noted that the timeline was aggressive and I smiled because I'd been waiting to say these words. I'm an aggressive person or I used to be, I'm remembering how. After everyone filed out Sonia stayed behind and told me I was born for this, she knew I'd find my way back, and I thanked her for staying with me then she hugged me saying my Mom would be so proud, you're exactly like her, strong and smart. 

I packed my stuff and headed back to the estate, to my children, to my life just beginning, but as I walked to my car I noticed a black car parked across the street with tinted windows and someone inside was following me.

Nathan appeared beside me instantly and asked if I saw it too, and I nodded while he pulled out his phone to call security, but before he could dial the car window rolled down just enough for me to see the driver's face.

It was Marcus Blake, the man Richard had mentioned, and he held up a sign that said "We Need To Talk, Emily, Your Life Depends On It".