Chapter 5 - The Legal Battle Begins
Two days later, the preliminary custody hearing was convened at the county family court. Richard had hired the most expensive defense attorney in the city, Arthur Pendelton, who arrived at the courthouse in an impeccably tailored suit, surrounded by junior legal associates.
In contrast, Evelyn sat quietly with a court-appointed child advocate, holding a thick leather-bound folder filled with medical records, school notes, and photographs.
inside the courtroom, Pendelton launched an aggressive campaign to discredit Evelyn and portray Richard as a loving, grieving widower overwhelmed by an emotionally disturbed child.
"Your Honor," Pendelton argued smoothly, standing before Judge Clara Montgomery. "My client, Mr. Richard Vance, has endured the devastating loss of his wife. His daughter, Lily, has exhibited severe behavioral issues, self-harming tendencies, and deep attachment disorders since her mother's passing. Mr. Vance was merely trying to manage a difficult episode during a social gathering to prevent the child from embarrassing herself."
Pendelton held up a series of documents. "We have affidavits from private tutors and home caregivers asserting that Lily frequently fell during play and threw severe tantrums."
Judge Montgomery turned her stern gaze toward Brenda Torres and Evelyn's legal representative. "Does the state or the grandmother have a response to these affidavits?"
Evelyn stood up herself, ignoring her attorney's gentle hand on her arm. "Your Honor, if I may speak as a grandmother and a retired medical professional."
Judge Montgomery nodded slowly. "You may, Mrs. Vance."
Evelyn walked to the podium, opening her folder. "The affidavits submitted by my son were signed by staff paid directly through his corporate payroll. What Mr. Pendelton conveniently omitted are the official emergency room reports from four days ago. Dr. Sarah Chen identified multiple fractures at different stages of healing. Rib fractures that are four weeks old do not come from a child 'throwing a tantrum on a rug.' They come from blunt force trauma equivalent to a high-impact blow."
Evelyn then produced a small thumb drive. "Furthermore, I have retrieved the security camera footage from the front hallway of my son's house, which he forgot was connected to my old cloud account."
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Richard’s face drained of color as Pendelton quickly stood up to object. "Your Honor, this evidence was not submitted in discovery!"
"Overruled," Judge Montgomery snapped. "This is an emergency protective hearing regarding a minor's physical safety. I will view the footage."
