Judge Vance raised his eyes from the paper and frowned deeply.
Judge Vance: This is a stay of custody from the state court.
Stepmother: That document is fake! She forged it!
Laura: My lawyer filed it yesterday afternoon, Victoria.
Judge Vance: The court seal is completely authentic, Victoria.
Victoria's hands began to shake as she smoothed her dress.
The wealthy guests were now whispering openly in utter disbelief.
They realized Victoria had lied about Toby's biological mother.
Victoria had told everyone that Laura abandoned the little boy.
Laura: She told everyone I ran away and abandoned Toby.
Laura: But she paid off a lawyer to forge my signature!
Stepmother: Silence! You have no proof of such nonsense!
Laura: I have the bank records of the payments you made!
Laura reached back into her pocket and pulled out another sheet.
It showed large cash transfers from Victoria's private trust fund.
The payments were sent directly to Laura's former dishonest lawyer.
Judge Vance took the paper and looked at the transaction numbers.
Judge Vance: This looks like severe fraud and child trafficking, Victoria.
Stepmother: I did it to protect my grandson's future!
Laura: You did it to hurt me and control Julian's inheritance!
The room gasped as Laura revealed the ultimate hidden motive.
Julian had left his entire estate directly to young Toby.
If Victoria controlled Toby, she controlled all the family millions.
Toby looked up at Laura with big, wide, hopeful eyes.
Toby: Mommy, can we go home now?
Laura: Very soon, my sweet baby boy.
Victoria made a sudden rush toward Laura to grab the boy.
But two honest security officers stepped in her way instantly.
The tables were turning very quickly in the grand ballroom.