Six months later, the main courtroom at the Dallas County Courthouse was packed with reporters, city officials, and financial news anchors. The trial of Beatrice Vance had dominated headline news across the state of Texas.
Beatrice sat at the defense table wearing a dark grey county jumpsuit. Her styled hair was gone, replaced by thin, unkept gray strands, and her face looked aged and broken without her usual makeup and expensive jewelry.
Across the aisle sat Victoria in a tailored navy suit, holding Julian's hand. In her arms sat little Leo, now a healthy, smiling nine-month-old boy.
Judge Miller: "This court is now in session for final sentencing in the case of State of Texas versus Beatrice Vance."
District Attorney: "Your Honor, the prosecution has presented clear 4K security video proving the defendant attempted to cause severe bodily harm or death to an infant, alongside certified DNA and estate records proving three decades of systematic grand larceny exceeding one hundred million dollars."
Defense Lawyer: "Your Honor, my client is an elderly woman with no prior criminal record. We ask for leniency and home confinement."
Judge Miller: "Leniency? Counsel, your client showed zero leniency when she held an innocent baby over a balcony edge to protect a stolen fortune."
Judge Miller turned her stern gaze directly toward Beatrice, who sat trembling at the table.
Judge Miller: "Beatrice Vance, for the crime of attempted felony injury to a child, you are sentenced to twelve years in state prison. For the crimes of grand larceny, forgery, and estate fraud, you are sentenced to an additional eight years, to be served consecutively."
The heavy wooden gavel slammed down onto the bench with a deafening crash that echoed off the courtroom walls.
Beatrice let out a high-pitched, hysterical cry as two armed bailiffs grabbed her shoulders, lifting her up from the chair and guiding her toward the rear holding cell.
Beatrice: "Julian! Save me! Please, I'm your mother!"
Julian stood tall beside Victoria, looking at the crying woman without a single drop of hesitation or pity.
Julian: "You brought this on yourself, Beatrice. Justice has finally come for Arthur's family."