The next morning, Eleanor was served with emergency court papers at eight o'clock sharp. Victoria had acted even faster than expected. Through her high-priced lawyer, Victoria had filed an emergency motion in the Dallas County Family Court to suspend Eleanor's guardianship and place Lyra under emergency protective custody.
Two hours later, Eleanor stood inside the grand hallway of the Dallas courtroom. She wore a dark blue suit, holding a leather briefcase filled with documents. Beside her stood her lead lawyer, Mr. Hayes, a sharp man with grey hair and thirty years of courtroom experience. Across the hallway stood Victoria, wearing a black designer dress, looking confident and smug beside her own attorney, Mr. Vance.
Victoria: You should have accepted my offer, Eleanor. Now the judge will see that you are unfit to care for a troubled child.
Eleanor: Enjoy your confidence while it lasts, Victoria. It will not survive the afternoon.
Mr. Vance: My client has sworn statements from a licensed physician stating that Lyra is a danger to herself. The court will award temporary custody of the estate to Mrs. Victoria today.
Mr. Hayes: We will see what the judge has to say about your sworn statements, counsel.
The courtroom doors opened, and the bailiff called everyone inside. Judge Margaret Davis took her seat at the bench, looking down over her glasses at both parties. The room was quiet and tense. Sunlight streamed through the tall glass windows, illuminating the polished mahogany benches.
Judge Davis: We are here on an emergency motion regarding the estate and legal guardianship of Lyra Vance. Counsel for the petitioner, you may speak first.
Mr. Vance: Thank you, Your Honor. My client, Victoria Vance, came home yesterday to find young Lyra in a state of severe mental distress. The child had obtained a pair of sharp scissors and inflicted injuries upon herself. Eleanor Vance has failed to provide a safe environment or proper mental health care for the child, while managing a twenty million dollar trust fund.
Judge Davis: That is a very serious allegation, Mr. Vance. Do you have medical documentation to support this claim?
Mr. Vance: Yes, Your Honor. We have an emergency affidavit from Dr. Arthur Harrison recommending immediate institutional placement and a transfer of trust management to my client.
Judge Davis looked over the paperwork handed to her by the clerk. She frowned slightly, turning her eyes toward Eleanor and her attorney.
Judge Davis: Ms. Vance, how do you respond to these claims? As an attorney yourself, you know how heavy these accusations are.
Eleanor stood up from her seat behind the counsel table. She adjusted her suit coat and walked slowly toward the podium, her voice steady and clear throughout the courtroom.
Eleanor: Your Honor, every single word spoken by opposing counsel is a complete and malicious fabrication designed to steal a child's inheritance.
Victoria: That is a lie! How dare you accuse me in open court!
Judge Davis: Order in the court! Mrs. Vance, you will remain silent or I will have you removed!
Eleanor: Your Honor, we are prepared to present physical evidence, financial records, and audio recordings that prove Victoria Vance staged the entire event to seize control of the twenty million dollar trust fund.