Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
“I just want my son back. I’m sorry, your honor, I still think of him as my son. Tally and I were fighting when I signed my rights away. I’m sure that’s why she decided Becca was the better alternative than my family,” Chad hiccuped, looking up at Judge Hopper.
Judge Hopper gave Chad a sad look, then speared James with a look of disgust.
“Your honor…” Ms. Loveless began.
“Yes, yes, I know. Objection something something parental rights something something prejudice against my client…” Judge Hopper grunted.
“I’m glad you’re taking my side so seriously, Judge,” Ms. Loveless replied sarcastically. “It’ll make things even easier on the appeal.”
Judge Hopper’s head reeled back as though Ms. Loveless had slapped him. “Excuse me?”
“Well, it’s clear to me that my client is not going to get a fair judgment in these proceedings, so I’m just waiting for you to find in favor of the plaintiff so I can draft one hell of an appeal, and maybe with a call for your removal from the bench just as a little cherry on top,” Ms. Loveless spat.
“Counselors! Approach the bench,” Judge Hopper seethed.
Ms. Loveless and Kensington walked up to the judge’s pulpit, and there was a heated conversation that only they could hear.
Well, them and Chad. The longer they spoke, the wider Chad’s insidious smile got as he looked at James and me.
Ms. Loveless eventually returned to our table in a huff. “I’m appealing this bullsh*t. And if we win, I’m still going to impeach his ass.”
“Is it really a good idea to antagonize him?” James asked in a low tone.
Ms. Loveless smiled slightly. “At this point, as many grounds for appeal as we can get is what we’re looking for. If I can provoke the judge into making more mistakes…”
James nodded. “I see.”
Kensington smoothed his hands over his suit and then turned to Chad once more. “Are you still afraid of Mr. Valentino, Mr. Cartwright?”
Chad’s lower lip quivered. I wanted to punch him in the face. “I am, sir. But I love my son more than I’m afraid of him.”
“Thank you, Mr. Cartwright,” Kensington said. He turned to Judge Hopper. “I have no more questions for this witness, your honor.”
Turning to Ms. Loveless, Judge Hopper barked, “Your witness, counsellor.”
“I have no questions for Mr. Cartwright at this time, your honor,” Ms. Loveless said, standing.
Judge Hopper, who didn’t seem surprised, waved a hand. “Thank you for joining us, Mr. Cartwright. You may return to the hospital, if you need to.”
“Your honor, if it’s all the same to you, I’d like to stay. I’ve been wanting to see the proceedings since the beginning… but… well… you see the state I’m in,” Chad mumbled.
“Of course,” Judge Hopper said. “You find yourself a comfortable spot, son.”
“Thank you, your honor,” Chad replied.
Chad made a big show of trying to navigate his wheelchair around various obstacles to park himself in an aisle next to his parents, who fawned over him.
I couldn’t imagine Alessandro growing up with them.
“Now, is there anyone else you would like to call, Bruce? Or should we leave it with the defendant?” Judge Hopper asked.
A phone rang, playing Katy Perry’s “Roar.”
“What the bright blue blazes—?!” Judge Hopper exclaimed.
Ms. Loveless dug around in her briefcase in an unhurried way, making the judge look as though steam might start shooting out his ears at any moment.
“Ms. Loveless, I’m sure it was made clear at the beginning of this trial that all cell phones were to be silenced during the proceedings,” Judge Hopper puffed.
“Mhm,” Ms. Loveless said absently. I could see from my side that her briefcase was meticulously organized, so she was making a show of looking for her phone just to piss him off.
I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.
“MS. LOVELESS!” Judge Hopper roared himself.
“Ah. Found it!” Ms. Loveless pulled her cell phone from a pocket within the briefcase and then, much to everyone’s shock, took the call. “Yes?”
“Ms… Ms. Loveless…?” Judge Hopper said, stupefied.
Ms. Loveless actually held up a finger to silence him. “Ahuh. Yes. Mhm. Yes. Yes. Yes, that would be great. And you say she’s ready now? Excellent.”
“Ms. Loveless!” Juge Hopper gaped, nearly purple with rage.
Even Kensington was looking at Ms. Loveless incredulously.
After a few minutes of “yes,” “no,” “mhm,” and “okay,” Ms. Loveless finally ended the call. She looked around the courtroom as though she hadn’t been completely aware of her disruption. “Oh, I’m sorry, were you waiting for me?”
“MS. LOVELESS, I am HOLDING YOU IN CONTEMPT OF COURT!” Judge Hopper shouted at the top of his lungs.
“Oh,” Ms. Loveless said, unperturbed. “That’s most unfortunate. For how long?”
“As long as it takes for you to apologize for your unprofessional behavior!” Judge Hopper fumed. “At least a day. Maybe two. I haven’t decided yet. Bailiff—!”
“Two days. I think that sounds about right,” Ms. Loveless replied with a nod.
Judge Hopper gawped like a fish out of water. “Excuse me?”
“Well, I have disrupted the court proceedings, I should be duly punished,” Ms. Loveless said. “And the punishment should fit the crime.”
“It should indeed! And I’m fining you three thousand dollars!” Judge Hopper added.
Ms. Loveless nodded. “Of course. Should I cut a check now or when I get to jail?”
Kensington was staring at Ms. Loveless with a calculating look on his face. “Your honor, I think she might actually be enjoying this. I think it might be part of some scheme.”
“Scheme? I would never!” Ms. Loveless gasped theatrically.
Judge Hopper’s eyes narrowed. “Are you wasting the court’s time on purpose, Ms. Loveless?”
“Your honor, I am sorry about the phone call, but it was an emergency,” Ms. Loveless said.
“Did one of your twenty cats die?” Kensington scoffed.
“Twenty-three, and no, that wasn’t it,” Ms. Loveless grinned.
