Two days later, Elena stood outside the district courthouse in a clean black blazer provided by Lawyer Vance. News vans were parked along the curb, their bright lights flashing against the stone steps.
Lawyer Vance: "Keep your head up, Elena. They expect you to be afraid. Show them you aren't."
Elena: "What if Arthur's lawyers convince the judge?"
Lawyer Vance: "They won't. We subpoenaed the primary cloud drive for the mansion's security cameras."
Elena: "I thought Victoria deleted those video files!"
Lawyer Vance: "She deleted the local drive in the study. But Arthur installed an automatic off-site backup system last year for insurance purposes. She didn't know about it."
At that moment, a black luxury sedan pulled up to the curb. Arthur got out first, buttoning his suit jacket, followed by Victoria, who wore black sunglasses and held baby Maya in a pristine designer carrier.
Arthur: "Vance! What is the meaning of this circus? Why is my family being dragged to court?"
Lawyer Vance: "We filed an emergency petition for temporary custody and an immediate audit of the Sterling family trust."
Victoria: "This is absurd! That criminal maid belongs behind bars!"
Elena: "I am not a criminal, Victoria! You know what you did on that balcony!"
Victoria: "Shut up! You're a lying, thieving servant!"
Arthur: "Victoria, calm down. Let the attorneys handle this."
Victoria: "No! I want her arrested right now!"
Lawyer Vance: "The judge is waiting inside, Mr. Sterling. I suggest we all take our seats."
The group filed into courtroom 3B. Judge Rebecca Harris sat at the bench, reviewing a thick stack of blue legal folders. The courtroom was silent except for the rustling of papers and the soft hum of the air conditioner.
Judge Harris: "We are here today on an emergency motion filed by Attorney Vance regarding the care of minor child Maya Sterling and allegations of gross negligence."
Arthur's Lawyer: "Your Honor, this is a baseless shakedown by a disgruntled former maid who dropped the child and was promptly fired."
Lawyer Vance: "Your Honor, we submit Exhibit A: the cloud camera footage from the Sterling main foyer, recovered four hours ago."
Victoria's face turned completely ghost-white. She reached out to grab Arthur's arm, her fingers digging deep into his coat sleeve.
Victoria: "Arthur... we don't need to watch any video. Tell him to dismiss this!"
Arthur: "Wait... what video drive?"
Leave a Comment