The Billionaire's Insignificant Wife novel Chapter 156

Victory and Threat

Two days later…

The hearing for the emergency wellness check petition was held.

Emma stood outside the courtroom with trembling hands holding a folder containing documents to be submitted to the court.

Richard Hayes stood beside her with a pale face-eyes red from lack of sleep last night. He was worried that today’s hearing would go smoothly.

“What if it’s rejected?” Richard whispered in a voice full of worry. “What if the judge thinks we don’t have enough evidence? What if-”

“Uncle,” Emma cut in gently but firmly. “We’ve done everything we could do. Now we can only trust Adrian and the legal system.”

Richard nodded but his hands still trembled.

The courtroom door opened and Adrian came out with upright posture and an impressively calm expression considering the pressure of the situation.

“It’s time,” he said while looking at Richard and Emma with eyes full of determination. “Are you ready?”

Richard took a deep breath.

“Ready.”

They walked into the cool courtroom with high ceilings and rows of wooden chairs facing the judge’s bench.

Emma glanced to the other side of the room and saw three lawyers in expensive suits sitting at the opposite table -Daniel Blackwood’s notoriously unbeatable legal team.

But Daniel himself wasn’t present.

“He didn’t come,” Emma whispered to Richard.

“Maybe that’s better,” Richard answered in an uncertain tone. “His presence would make all of this more… tense.”

They sat in the front row right behind Adrian’s table.

And then-the courtroom door opened again.

Rachel Chen entered with careful steps and a face full of worry but also determination.

Emma jumped to her feet.

“Rachel?!”

Rachel smiled thinly while walking closer.

“I couldn’t let you fight alone,” she said in a slightly trembling voice. “I know I can’t be a lawyer on this case anymore. But I can be present as a moral witness. And I’ll give testimony if needed.”

Emma hugged her tightly.

“Thank you,” she whispered in a choked voice. “Thank you for coming.”

1/5

Rachel hugged back with teary eyes.

+30 Bonus

“Alina is my former client,” she answered firmly. “And I won’t let her continue to suffer just because I’m afraid of Daniel Blackwood’s threats.”

They sat together-three people united in the mission to save Alina.

A few minutes later, the judge entered the room with flowing black robes.

“All rise,” the clerk called in an echoing voice.

Judge Melissa Hartford-a middle-aged woman with gray hair and sharp eyes that looked like they’d seen every type of case-sat in the high chair with authoritative posture.

“Please be seated,” she said in a voice that was firm but not cold.

The hearing began.

Adrian stood with upright posture and clear voice when presenting arguments.

“Your Honor,” he said while opening the folder in front of him. “We are filing a petition for emergency wellness check on Mrs. Alina Hayes Blackwood based on credible and serious concerns about her wellbeing.”

He explained in detail-systematic isolation, blocked communication, deterioration of physical and mental health documented by witnesses, and pregnancy without access to independent medical care.

“Mr. Hayes-Mrs. Alina’s father-has not been able to speak directly with his daughter without supervision for more than three months. The last phone call showed signs of being scripted and monitored. Mrs. Alina’s close friend lost her job after trying to help. And her previous attorney-Ms. Rachel Chen-was forced to resign through threats against her family.”

Adrian looked at the judge with steady eyes.

“This is not about interfering in a marriage, Your Honor. This is about ensuring that a vulnerable pregnant woman gets access to independent assessment of her health and safety.”/

The senior lawyer from Daniel’s team-Mr. Peterson-stood with smooth movements.

“Your Honor,” he said in a deep and authoritative voice. “This petition is baseless interference in a lawful marriage. Mrs. Alina Blackwood is a competent adult who is voluntarily staying with her husband to protect her pregnancy.”

He took out documents from his folder.

“We have a written statement from Dr. Patricia Ross-Mrs. Alina’s personal physician-stating that the patient is under appropriate prenatal care and that her condition is stable. Mrs. Alina’s pregnancy requires a calm and stress -free environment. Interference from third parties mentioned in this petition could actually endanger Mrs. Alina’s health and the fetus.”

Mr. Peterson looked at the judge with a serious expression.

“Mr. Hayes has no legal standing to interfere in his daughter’s marriage. And this petition is based on hearsay from individuals who have a personal agenda and bias against Mr. Blackwood.”

The hearing continued with fierce exchange of arguments:

Adrian presented evidence-screenshots of messages from Mrs. Helen showing Alina’s deterioration, Richard’s testimony about the “everything is fine” code Alina always used when in danger, documentation of systematic

2/5

+30 Bonus

intimidation of Alina’s support system.

Daniel’s legal team countered with arguments about marital privacy, a husband’s right to protect his pregnant wife from stress, and questions about the motivations of Mr. Hayes and Ms. Carter.

The judge listened with an expression that was hard to read-her eyes moving between both parties with intense

attention.

Finally, after almost two hours of argument exchange, Judge Hartford raised her hand with a gesture that stopped both parties.

“I have heard arguments from both sides,” she said in a firm voice. “And I will make my decision based on the best interests of the subject-Mrs. Alina Blackwood-especially considering her pregnant condition.”

Silence.

Everyone in the courtroom held their breath.

“The petition for emergency wellness check… is granted.”

Emma flinched with wide eyes.

Richard covered his mouth with his hand-tears immediately flowing.

Rachel smiled with overwhelming relief.

Judge Hartford continued in an authoritative tone.

“I order a wellness check by a court-appointed social worker and independent physician within three days. The interview with Mrs. Alina must be conducted privately without the presence of Mr. Blackwood or other parties who could influence her testimony. The report must be submitted within five days after the examination.”

The judge’s gavel fell with a final sound.

“Court is adjourned.”

Adrian turned with a thin smile but eyes shining with victory.

Richard stood and hugged Adrian tightly.

“Thank you,” he said in a voice full of emotion. “Thank you. Finally.., finally Alina will get help.”

Emma cried with relief-her body trembling with overwhelming emotion.

“We won,” she whispered in disbelief. “We can meet Alina soon.”

Rachel stood with a smile full of hope.

“Three days,” she said while looking at Richard. “In three days, we can meet Alina. We can talk to her. We can save her.”

Richard nodded with tears that wouldn’t stop.

“I can’t wait,” he whispered. “I can’t wait to see my daughter again.”

At the office, Daniel had just finished a meeting with a major client.

3/5

+30 Bonus

Marcus entered with a tablet in hand and a very tense expression.

“Sir,” he called in a careful voice.

Daniel turned from the window with raised eyebrows.

“What is it, Marcus? You look like you’re facing execution.”

Marcus swallowed.

“There’s… results from the wellness check petition hearing this morning.”

Daniel looked at him with unblinking eyes.

“What’s the result?”

Marcus took a deep breath.

“The judge granted the petition. The wellness check will be conducted within three days. A social worker and independent physician will interview Mrs. Alina privately without you present.”

Silence.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify