Leo unfolded the thin paper carefully, keeping his eyes locked onto Clara's pale face.
The edges of the document were torn and stained from years of being hidden away.
Leo: My foster mother kept this inside a locked metal box under her bed.
Julian: That is a fake paper! Do not look at it, Clara!
Julian stepped between them and tried to snatch the paper straight out of Leo's hands.
However, an older guest in a grey suit stepped forward and held Julian back firmly.
Guest: Let the boy show her the paper, Julian. What are you so afraid of?
Clara reached out and took the fragile document from Leo's small fingers.
Her hands trembled uncontrollably as she unfolded the page to read the dark ink inside.
It was an official hospital birth certificate dated seven long years ago.
Her full legal name was clearly listed as the mother on the top line.
The baby's name was written as Leo, matching the boy standing right in front of her.
However, the father's name line had been scratched out with heavy black pen marks.
Clara: Julian... what is the meaning of this document?
Julian: It is a complete forgery created by someone who wants our family money!
Leo: It is not fake! My foster mom left a note explaining who took me away!
Leo wiped his nose on his hoodie sleeve and looked directly at Julian with deep anger.
Leo: She said a rich man paid her money to hide me after the accident!
The crowd of high-society guests gasped loudly at the shocking accusation echoing in the hall.
Clara felt her head spinning as more buried memories began breaking through her brain.
She remembered sitting in a small nursery holding a tiny baby wrapped in a blue blanket.
She remembered loving that baby more than anything else in the entire world.
She remembered a harsh argument near a staircase just hours before her car went off the road.
Clara: You knew... Julian. You knew I had a baby son before the crash.
Julian: Clara, listen to me! I was only trying to protect your future and your wealth!
Clara: You stole my child from me while I was lying unconscious in a hospital bed!