Cole glared at him. “It’s easy enough to prove. DNA, for example.”
“That’ll take time. And we’re losing money by the hour. Your Honor, this can’t possibly be legal.”
Roth’s lawyer stood. “Your Honor, you were about to rule.”
A voice came from the back of the room. “We have a DNA test.”
Cole spun.
Luca came to his feet. “Your Honor, I have the results of a DNA test by Central Laboratories, proving Samuel’s paternity.”
“What do we do?” asked Amber, panic beginning to build deep in her stomach.
“Wait,” said Destiny, watching the judge closely.
The judge finally spoke. “I’m not persuaded that a genetic relationship alone alters the merits of this case. Samuel Henderson could have any number of illegitimate children—”
“They were married,” Cole’s deep voice intoned.
Silence followed the pronouncement.
“My mother and Samuel Henderson were married.” He shot a sharp look to Roth. “Again, very easy to prove.”
Luca spoke. “I have a copy of the marriage certificate and the divorce decree.”
Cole turned to stare at Luca for a long moment.
Destiny leaned close to Amber. “This is a whole new ballgame. Hang tough.”
Destiny came sharply to her feet. “Your Honor, we ask for a recess.”
Roth’s lawyer jumped in. “We ask for a ruling.”
But Destiny wasn’t finished. “Under the terms of the will, as a legitimate child of Samuel Henderson, Cole Henderson is entitled to half of Samuel’s estate.”
The courtroom erupted.
“Order, order,” the judge called over the din. “Court is in recess until such time as Samuel Henderson’s will can be reviewed.” He looked to Cole. “Mr. Henderson, if you do not already have a lawyer, I suggest you get one.”
Everybody left their seats, and the courtroom turned into a mob scene. Cole stood still, the crowd jostling around him. He was nearly chest to chest with the bailiff guarding the low gate.
“Get me out of here,” Amber said to Destiny. “I can’t see him. I can’t talk to him.”
“We can take the side door.” Destiny grabbed her briefcase.
All Amber wanted to do was get back to Zachary. For a horrible moment there, she’d known she was about to lose him. Zachary had almost been ripped from her care and given over to Roth. She was still shaking with reaction.
“Amber,” called Cole.
She refused to look at him. “Go away.”
“I wanted to tell you. I tried to tell you.”
She let out a short, high-pitched laugh. “When? When? It’s not like you lacked opportunity.”