Chapter 8 - The Falling Dominoes
Vanessa stood up, her legal team suddenly shifting uncomfortably beside her.
"Your Honor," Vanessa began, her voice trembling slightly. "The video doesn't show the full context—Lily lost her balance, and I was trying to—"
"Mrs. Vance," Judge Sterling interrupted, slamming her gavel down with a sharp crack that echoed off the high walls. "I have presided over family court for twenty-two years. I know the difference between a panicked attempt to save a falling child and a deliberate physical shove."
The judge turned to the court clerk. "Issue an immediate, permanent restraining order against Vanessa Bennett-Vance. She is to remain a minimum of one thousand feet away from Lily Vance and Daniel Vance at all times."
"Your Honor, please!" Vanessa cried, stepping forward.
"Furthermore," Judge Sterling continued, ignoring her completely, "I am ordering the District Attorney's office to initiate an immediate criminal investigation into aggravated child abuse and assault. Bailiff, take Mrs. Vance into custody pending her arraignment hearing."
Two armed court officers moved in from the side doors.
Vanessa shrank back, her theatrical demeanor completely dissolving into high-pitched shrieks as the steel handcuffs clicked around her wrists. "Father! Call the lawyers! Daniel, you can't do this to me!"
Daniel didn't answer. He watched as they dragged her through the rear doors of the courtroom.
Eleanor leaned over to Daniel, placing a hand on his shoulder. "The family court side is locked down, Daniel. She’ll never touch Lily again."
"What about Arthur?" Daniel asked.
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"Geno just called," Eleanor whispered. "The SEC and the state troopers arrived at Bennett Tower twenty minutes ago with the audit files. Arthur isn't coming to bail her out. He's being processed in the federal building right now."
Daniel closed his eyes, taking a deep, ragged breath. The weight that had rested on his chest since the day Caroline died finally began to lift.
