Six months later, the Dallas County Courthouse was packed with local reporters, corporate executives, and onlookers. The high-profile trial of Victoria Vance had dominated news headlines across Texas.
Victoria sat at the defense table wearing a dark grey prison jumpsuit. Her styled hair was gone, pulled back into a simple ponytail, and her face was lined with deep stress. Beside her sat her defense attorney, attempting to review a stack of legal briefs.
Across the aisle sat Arthur in a tailor-made charcoal suit, holding Chloe's hand. Chloe wore an elegant beige dress, her arm fully recovered, resting comfortably against Arthur's shoulder.
Judge Davis: "This court is now in session. We are here for final sentencing in the matter of the State of Texas versus Victoria Vance."
District Attorney Sarah Jenkins: "Your Honor, the prosecution has presented undisputed 4K security footage showing the defendant intentionally shoving the victim off a twenty-foot balcony. We have also submitted physical evidence of forged documents and illegal sedatives found in the defendant's possession."
Defense Lawyer: "Your Honor, my client is an elderly woman who suffered a temporary emotional breakdown due to family financial disputes! We request leniency and probation with medical care!"
Judge Davis: "Counsel, your client's actions were calculated, ruthless, and nearly fatal. The court has reviewed the 4K video footage multiple times. There was no hesitation in her actions."
Judge Davis turned her stern gaze toward Victoria, who sat trembling at the defense table.
Judge Davis: "Victoria Vance, you betrayed your family, attempted to kill your daughter-in-law for a trust fund, and lied to law enforcement. Such depravity has no place in our community."
Victoria: "Your Honor, please! I am Arthur's mother! He can't want me to die in prison!"
Judge Davis: "You forfeited your rights as a mother when you attempted to commit murder in that foyer. On the charge of attempted first-degree murder, I sentence you to twenty years in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice without the possibility of parole."
The judge struck her heavy wooden gavel down onto the block with a resounding, definitive crash.
Victoria let out a sharp, hysterical shriek as two armed bailiffs stepped forward, grabbing her arms and forcing her toward the side holding cells.
Victoria: "Arthur! Chloe! Help me! You can't let them take me!"
Arthur stood up slowly, looking straight into his mother's eyes without a single trace of regret.
Arthur: "You made your choice on that balcony, Victoria. Now live with it."
The heavy iron doors slammed shut behind her, cutting off her cries for good.