Chapter 6 - The Custody Battle
At 2:00 PM the following afternoon, Family Courtroom 4B was packed to capacity.
Julian Vance sat at the defense table, looking sharp and arrogant in a bespoke Italian suit. Beside him sat Eleanor Vale, wearing a pristine grey prison-issue suit, her hair immaculately pinned, her face cold and unbothered as if she were simply attending a routine board meeting.
Claire sat beside me at the plaintiff's table. She was holding a leather folder, her posture upright and regal.
Judge Harold Vance banged his gavel down.
“This hearing is convened to address the emergency motion for temporary third-party guardianship filed on behalf of Eleanor Vale regarding the minor child, Lily Vale,” Judge Harold announced, adjusting his reading glasses. “Mr. Julian Vance, you may present your preliminary argument.”
Julian stood up, smoothing his tie, smiling smoothly at the bench.
“Your Honor,” Julian began, his voice dripping with false empathy. “This is a tragic family situation. We have clear, documented evidence showing that Claire Vance suffered from severe psychological instability prior to her disappearance two years ago. We have sworn affidavits from board-certified psychiatrists indicating that Mrs. Vance’s mental state poses a direct risk to the minor child’s development.”
He held up a thick manila folder. “We request that the child be placed in the temporary care of an independent state-appointed guardian until a full psychiatric evaluation of both parents can be conducted.”
Judge Harold nodded slowly, looking over at Marcus. “Mr. Bell, your response?”
Marcus stood up calmly, holding a single flash drive.
“Your Honor,” Marcus said, “before we discuss custody, I request permission to submit Exhibit A—a sworn deposition executed two hours ago by Dr. Arthur Vance, the physician whose signature appears on the affidavits Mr. Julian Vance just presented to this court.”
Julian Vance’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second. “Objection! This deposition was not served during discovery!”
“Dr. Vance was apprehended at JFK Airport attempting to flee the country, Your Honor,” Marcus countered loudly, his voice filling the room. “In his sworn confession, he admits that every single psychological report regarding Claire Vance was completely forged under the direct instruction and financial bribery of Eleanor Vale!”
Marcus walked over to the defense table and tossed a stack of printed emails directly in front of Julian Vance.
“Here are thirty-four email threads between Eleanor Vale and Dr. Vance,” Marcus announced to the entire courtroom. “Including explicit instructions on how to frame Claire Vance as insane if she ever managed to escape her illegal confinement in Vermont!”
Judge Harold’s face turned bright red as he looked over the printed emails. He glared down at Julian Vance with absolute fury.
“Mr. Julian Vance,” Judge Harold’s voice thundered. “Did you submit fraudulent affidavits to my court?”
Julian stammered, his face turning pale. “Your Honor... we... we were unaware of the provenance of these documents—”
“Silence!” Judge Harold slammed his gavel down so hard the wooden block cracked. “This motion for guardianship is denied with prejudice! Furthermore, I am referring Mr. Julian Vance to the State Bar Association for immediate disbarment proceedings regarding submission of falsified evidence!”
Eleanor turned her head slowly, staring at Julian in absolute shock as her lead defense lawyer crumpled into his chair, completely defeated.
May you like
Judge Harold turned his attention to Eleanor.
“Mrs. Eleanor Vale,” the judge declared coldly. “You are a disgrace to this family and this state. You will remain in custody without bail pending your criminal trial.”
