The next morning, Mark met Arthur Vance inside a quiet downtown legal office building.
Arthur was an experienced family law attorney who handled complex, high-asset cases.
Mark placed the portable USB drive directly onto the clean wooden conference table surface.
Arthur: Are you absolutely certain you want to initiate these legal proceedings, Mark?
Mark: Watch the video recordings on that drive and judge for yourself, Arthur.
Arthur plugged the drive into his laptop and watched the security footage carefully.
The attorney's face grew stern as he observed Sarah's behavior toward the young boy.
Arthur: This evidence is clear, convincing, and deeply troubling for her defense strategy.
Mark: What are our immediate legal options for protecting Toby right now?
Arthur: We can file an emergency order for exclusive occupancy of your home.
Arthur: We will also request full temporary legal and physical custody of Toby.
Mark: How quickly can a judge sign these emergency court orders for us?
Arthur: I can submit the petition to the family court judge by noon today.
Mark felt a small sense of relief, but he knew the hard part remained.
He had to return to the mansion and act normally until the papers arrived.
He drove back home, keeping his emotions fully controlled behind a calm mask.
When he entered the kitchen, Sarah was sipping coffee near the granite island counter.
Sarah: Good morning, Mark, I hope you slept better after yesterday's misunderstanding.
Mark: I slept fine, Sarah, I just have a busy day of work ahead.
Sarah: Toby is upstairs playing quietly in his bedroom like a good boy.
Mark: That is good to hear, I am going to work from home today.
Sarah watched him closely, her eyes showing a hint of sudden quiet suspicion.
She knew Mark was usually energetic, but today he seemed detached and icy distant.
Mark walked into the living room and sat down near the large front window.
He waited patiently for the sound of a car arriving down the long driveway.