Araceli POV
Kenneth understood instantly.
He looked at me with some curiosity.
I smiled and said, "Mr. Easton, there is a man who claims to be the father of my children and wants to sue to get custody of them. Can you help me?"
Kenneth frowned. "Ms. Chancey..."
"I have a son and a daughter," I explained truthfully, "I raised them alone for five years. Now, the children's father has come to me and wants custody back. May I ask if I have any chance of winning?"
Kenneth looked a little shocked, but he quickly calmed down and said seriously, "Ms. Chancey, please tell me more about this. I need to know about your two children, the father of your children, and how you are raising them now..."
I nodded and took a seat across from Kenneth.
"Five years ago, I gave birth to my children and took them abroad with me. During those five years, both of my children were raised by me alone. The children's father was never present and never paid support. The two children did not know their father. The man's name was Ramon Fleming, an entrepreneur and CEO of the Fleming Group..."
Raphael stood beside me, holding his cup of tea, and never said a word.
I told Kenneth all the information I knew.
Kenneth frowned slightly and said, "That is, the children's father is a successful entrepreneur with a strong background and, to outsiders, he has a harmonious family. Ms. Chancey, you are also from a wealthy family but have always been single. Your children have always lived with you and have lacked fatherly love since they were young..."
Kenneth pushed his glasses and continued, "There is a good chance that the judge will award custody of the children to the children's father out of concern for their psychologically healthy development."
I clenched my fist and asked, "Even if the man had not put any effort or money into the children over the years, the judge would still favor him?"
Kenneth nodded, then shook his head later. "If the man knew they were his children and didn't take responsibility, the judge certainly wouldn't have favored him, but Ms. Chancey, I'm guessing roughly from your exposition that you've been hiding the truth from him that these two children are his children, correct?"
I pursed my lips.
I had expected this day to come, but never thought it would come so soon. I just knew I couldn't lose Krish and Valeria...
I took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Easton, is there anything you can do to turn things around?"
Kenneth said slowly, "There are some chances."
He thought for a moment and said, "I have a way for you to get custody 100 percent, Ms. Chancey."
A light finally lit up in my eyes. "Mr. Easton, what should I do?"
"Ms. Chancey, you are the mother of the children and have been caring for them alone for five years. The two children will definitely choose you over living with their father. Look, if you can find a man to marry, that is, if your marital status is 'married', the court will definitely retain your custody."
I was shocked to hear Kenneth's words.
"Ms. Chancey, you can find a man to marry first. Of course, if Ms. Chancey is resistant to that suggestion, forget it. I'll do my best to help you win your case."
I took a deep breath, my heart beating wildly.
I spent a long time at the lawyer's office, talking with Kenneth. I realized that this lawsuit was not as easy as I had thought it would be.
Ramon was the children's biological father, and I had secretly given birth to them. At this point, the judge was definitely going to favor Ramon.
Not only that, but Ramon is known to the public as a good father, a good husband, and has a very stable family. He was very favorable in this lawsuit.
I, on the other hand, was single.
I had to work and take care of my children, so how could I convince the judge that I could give my children the best life possible?
The only way now seemed to be that I had to find a man to marry.
As soon as I had a stable family, all of Ramon's advantages would be gone.
"Ms. Chancey, if you can have a stable romantic relationship, the judge will consider it at his or her discretion," Kenneth said slowly, "This case is still at least a month away from the trial, so, Ms. Chancey, do not rush. You have plenty of time to figure out the best and most acceptable way for you to proceed."
I nodded and added, "Today Ramon will take his lawyer to daycare to pick up my kids. How can I stop him from seeing the kids?"
I didn't want the two children to know they had such a shameless father.
Kenneth glanced at Raphael, who was sitting not far away.
He and I had been talking for over an hour, and Raphael had been sitting on the sidelines for over an hour.
Kenneth pushed up his glasses and said, "Let me go meet this Mr. Fleming. Ms. Chancey, I'm your defense attorney now, so I'll help you deal with Mr. Fleming's lawyers after we meet them."
I said with great appreciation, "Thank you, Mr. Easton."
Kenneth gathered the papers on his desk, got up, and said, "Let's go."
Raphael stood up too and walked with us out the door.
We walked downstairs.
Kenneth got into Raphael's car. "Ms. Chancey, you drive ahead and lead the way."
I nod, get in the car, and start the engine.
It didn't take long for us to arrive at Brizela Daycare.
A black car was parked in front of the school. I saw Mayra surrounded by a few people, dealing with a few people in front of her under great pressure.
"Mr. Fleming, even if you were Krish and Valeria's biological father, I can't let them see you now. We have to take responsibility for the children." Mayra took a deep breath and said, "Mr. Fleming, if you have to see them, I suggest you contact their mother. As soon as Ms. Chancey agrees, I will bring them out immediately."
I got out of the car and walked over to them.
Ramon stepped back and let the lawyers come forward.
Mayra looked a little pale with fear.
Lexie said coldly, "If you have to prevent a father from visiting his children, then we will call the police immediately..."