Chapter 5 - The Playroom Footage
“Objection!” Trenton shouted. “We have no prior knowledge of this video! It could be fabricated!”
“The defense has provided a sworn affidavit from a federal forensic analyst authenticating the metadata, Your Honor,” Sarah countered smoothly, handing a thick folder to the bailiff. “Furthermore, this footage was obtained legally from a camera Mr. Vance himself purchased and installed.”
Judge Davies frowned, putting on her reading glasses. “I will allow it. Play the video.”
Sarah plugged her laptop into the courtroom’s monitor system.
The screen flickered to life. The audio was crystal clear.
The entire courtroom watched as Mark dragged his screaming, five-year-old son across the floor. They heard the sickening thud as Leo was shoved into the closet.
“Please, Daddy, no!”
Mark’s face drained of all color. He looked like he was going to vomit. Vivian, sitting in the gallery, shrank back into her seat, her eyes darting toward the exits.
Then, Vivian’s voice echoed through the courtroom speakers.
“You need to break him before Jillian gets back. If he tells her anything, the entire trust fund goes up in smoke.”
“I know. The Vanguard real estate portfolio defaults to me as his sole guardian.”
The silence in the courtroom was absolute, heavy, and suffocating.
Judge Davies slowly lowered her glasses. The look of sympathy she had previously given Mark was gone, replaced by a cold, radiating disgust.
May you like
“Mr. Trenton,” the judge said, her voice dangerously quiet. “Do you have anything to say?”
Trenton packed his briefcase, physically stepping away from Mark. “I... I have no comment, Your Honor. I was not made aware of this evidence.”
