Three months passed before the final court hearing was held inside the grand city courthouse building downtown.
The court courtroom was packed with news reporters and high society members eager to watch the famous trial.
Clara sat next to her defense attorney looking pale in a simple black dress without any expensive jewelry items.
Arthur sat calmly at the prosecution table alongside Mr. Harrison and Elena, who held the crucial video files.
The judge slammed his wooden gavel down hard against his desk to bring the noisy room to order.
Judge: We are here today to finalize the annulment and review criminal negligence charges against Clara Vance.
The defense attorney stood up slowly and tried to argue that the video was taken without legal consent.
Defense Attorney: Your Honor, the maid invaded my client's reasonable expectation of private home space with a camera.
Mr. Harrison: Your Honor, the maid was protecting an endangered infant inside a public common hallway area.
The judge adjusted his black robes and looked directly at the video monitor mounted on the courtroom wall.
He watched the clear playback of Clara locking the crying child away while searching for private trust files.
Judge: The court finds this recorded evidence entirely admissible and deeply disturbing regarding the child's care.
The judge slammed his heavy gavel down once again while delivering his final binding legal verdict to the room.
Judge: The marriage is hereby annulled immediately, and Clara receives zero financial settlement from the Vance estate.
Clara let out a loud dramatic sob and covered her wet face with both her shaking hands in court.
Judge: Furthermore, she is sentenced to community service and full financial restitution for court costs today.
The crowd inside the gallery whispered loudly as security officers escorted the defeated woman out the side doors.
Arthur turned to Elena with a deep smile of true relief spreading across his tired face at last.
Arthur: It is finally over, and my son is completely safe from her greedy hands forever now.