Arthur set his black leather briefcase down on the wooden dining table.
He pulled out several legal forms and arranged them neatly in a row.
Arthur: I have prepared the emergency motion for temporary guardianship.
Mark: How fast can a judge review these papers, Arthur?
Arthur: If we submit them before lunch, we will get a ruling by three o'clock.
Sarah: Will Mia have to appear in court today?
Arthur: No, she can remain right here in your care for now.
Suddenly, three heavy knocks echoed against the front door of the home.
Everyone in the room froze instantly as the sound echoed through the hallway.
Sarah felt her stomach drop as she looked toward the front entryway.
Sarah: Who could that be at this hour?
Arthur: Stay here. Let Mark answer the door.
Mark walked slowly down the long hallway toward the heavy oak door.
He looked through the small glass peephole built into the wood.
A tall man in a navy blue suit was standing on the front porch.
Beside him stood a social worker carrying an official state badge.
Mark opened the door wide while keeping his expression cool and firm.
Mark: Good morning. How can I help you today?
Man: My name is Richard, and I am Mia's legal guardian.
Social Worker: We received an anonymous tip that Mia is inside this residence.
Mark: She is safe inside, but our lawyer is currently handling her custody filing.
Richard stepped forward aggressively onto the wooden door sill.
Richard: You have no right to keep my niece in your home!
Arthur: Stand back, sir!
Arthur stepped up beside Mark and held up his legal ID badge.
Arthur: I am the family attorney representing the Miller family.
Arthur: An emergency motion for temporary guardianship has already been drafted.
Social Worker: Has a judge signed that motion yet, counselor?
Arthur: It is being submitted to Judge Harris within thirty minutes.
Richard: I am her blood relative, and I demand to see her now!
Mia peeked out from behind the living room wall with wide, fearful eyes.
Lily took Mia's hand and pulled her back gently into the kitchen.
Mark: You will not intimidate anyone in this house, sir.
Social Worker: Sir, let us resolve this properly through the family court system.
Richard glared bitterly at Mark before taking a slow step backward.
Richard: We will see you in court at two o'clock, Mr. Miller.
He turned around and walked briskly down the driveway toward his car.
The social worker apologized quietly before following him down the walkway.
Mark closed the heavy door and locked the deadbolt securely in place.
The battle for Mia's future was heading directly to the judge.