The next morning the county courthouse was filled with cold rain.
Victoria walked down the shiny marble hallway wearing expensive sunglasses.
Her high powered defense lawyer stood right beside her holding briefcase.
Jessica sat calmly at the plaintiff table beside her attorney Marcus.
Victoria sneered coldly as she walked past Jessica's wooden table.
Victoria: You are wasting your small savings on this foolish lawsuit!
Jessica: You should check your own bank statements today, Victoria.
Victoria: What are you talking about, you silly little girl?
Marcus: The judge signed an emergency freeze on all accounts today.
Victoria's defense lawyer quickly whispered nervously into her right ear.
Victoria's Lawyer: Victoria, is it true the offshore trust is locked?
Victoria: That is completely impossible, I own all those accounts!
The bailiff pounded his heavy wooden gavel against the wooden bench.
Bailiff: All rise for Honorable Judge Raymond Sterling presiding today.
Judge Sterling sat down behind his elevated polished mahogany desk.
He adjusted his small reading glasses and peered down at documents.
Judge Sterling: We are here regarding emergency motions on Arthur's estate.
Marcus: Your Honor, we present video evidence of severe child endangerment.
Marcus handed a small black USB flash drive to the bailiff.
The bailiff plugged the drive into the large courtroom display screen.
The video played clearly showing Victoria locking little Leo outside alone.
The courtroom gallery gasped loudly as the video footage played on.
Judge Sterling's face turned dark and angry as he watched.
Judge Sterling: Is that woman on the monitor you, Mrs. Victoria?
Victoria's face turned completely pale as she gripped her chair tight.
Victoria: Your Honor, the boy was just throwing a bad tantrum!
Judge Sterling: He was a shivering toddler outside in freezing Texas snow!
Victoria leaned back in her chair looking completely terrified and weak.
Her expensive defense lawyer backed away from her slowly with shame.