Chapter 5
At nine o'clock that evening, a sharp knock echoed through the heavy front door of the Park Avenue penthouse.
Ethan walked to the entryway and checked the security monitor mounted beside the marble archway.
Two uniformed New York City police officers were standing in the hallway alongside a woman in a formal business suit.
Ethan opened the door slightly, keeping the heavy brass security chain engaged between them.
"Ethan Sterling?" the male officer asked, his hand resting casually near his duty belt.
"I am Officer Miller, and this is Ms. Davis from New York Child Protective Services."
"We have a court-issued emergency protection order regarding your minor daughter, Lily Sterling."
Ms. Davis stepped forward, holding a yellow manila folder filled with stamped legal documents.
"Mr. Sterling, we have received credible reports that the child is in immediate danger of emotional and physical harm," she stated professionally.
"We are required by state law to take the child into temporary protective custody pending a formal hearing on Monday."
Ethan felt as if the room had suddenly lost all oxygen as he stared at the social worker's cold face.
"She is six years old!" Ethan shouted, his voice echoing into the quiet hallway.
"She is in her own home, perfectly safe with her biological father!"
"Mr. Sterling, if you do not comply with the court order, we will be forced to arrest you for obstruction," the officer warned sternly.
Victoria stepped out from behind the corner of the hallway, her champagne wedding dress replaced by a sleek black coat.
She looked at Ethan with a serene, chilling expression that revealed zero emotion.
May you like
"Do what's right for the child, Ethan," Victoria said softly.
"You're not well."
