Chapter 8 - The Courtroom Showdown
The emergency hearing for the temporary restraining order and temporary custody took place at the Dallas County Courthouse.
The hallway was packed with reporters, news cameras, and private security.
When Brandon walked in, he was dressed in a sharp gray suit, flanked by a flashy defense lawyer provided by Harrison Croft's legal network. Brandon tried to look composed, but the dark circles under his eyes and his nervous fidgeting gave him away.
When his eyes met mine, he tried to glare at me—the old, intimidating stare he used to exert control over me in our kitchen.
This time, I didn't look down. I sat next to Victoria, shoulders back, chin raised high, looking him dead in the eye.
"Your Honor," Brandon’s attorney began, addressing Judge Evelyn Vance (no relation). "My client is the victim of a coordinated character assassination campaign funded by an overly powerful billionaire. Mr. Miller simply wants access to his daughter and his pregnant wife, who is clearly suffering from psychological distress."
Victoria stood up slowly, calmly adjusting her jacket.
"Your Honor," Victoria spoke softly, her voice echoing in the silent courtroom. "We submit into evidence the full medical trauma record from the night of August 11th, the sworn affidavit from the attending surgeon, and the recorded security footage from the front porch of the house."
She turned on a large display monitor facing the judge.
The video played.
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It showed the front porch. It caught the clear audio of Brandon yelling inside, the sound of the blow, Lily screaming, and Brandon’s distinct voice snarling: "Look what you made me do."
Brandon’s lawyer turned white. Brandon slumped back in his chair as if he had been punched himself.
