The bright morning sun shone through the tall arched windows of the county probate courthouse.
Inside Courtroom 4A, Victoria Sterling sat at the high defense table wearing a heavy mink coat and expensive diamond earrings.
Her son, Chad, sat beside her in a grey designer suit, picking at his fingernails with a smug smirk on his face.
Victoria: Why is this taking so long, lawyer? The judge should have signed the estate transfer papers twenty minutes ago!
Defense Attorney: Be patient, Mrs. Sterling. The plaintiff's representative claims they have a last-minute witness to present before the judge signs the final order.
Chad: What witness? That old lawyer Marcus Hayes? He doesn't have any physical proof without those medical files.
Victoria: Exactly. That little server girl is probably crying in her cheap apartment right now.
The heavy double doors at the back of the courtroom swung open with a resounding thud.
Chloe stepped into the courtroom wearing a tailored navy blue executive suit, her long hair pinned up neatly.
Marcus Hayes walked right beside her, carrying a leather briefcase, while Toby followed closely behind with a confident smile.
Victoria's jaw dropped as she stood up from her chair, staring in horror at the young woman walking down the center aisle.
Victoria: What is she doing here?! Who let her into this courtroom?!
Judge Vance: Order in the court! Sit down, Mrs. Sterling, or I will have the bailiff remove you!
Victoria sank back into her seat, her knuckles turning white as she gripped the edge of the mahogany table.
Judge Vance: Mr. Hayes, you stated you have new, decisive evidence regarding Arthur Sterling's last will and testament?
Marcus: I do, Your Honor. I present to the court certified DNA results performed by the State Forensic Laboratory yesterday afternoon, confirming a ninety-nine point nine percent biological match between Chloe Sterling and the late Arthur Sterling.
Defense Attorney: Objection, Your Honor! Where did this DNA sample come from? The deceased was cremated two weeks ago!
Marcus: The sample was retrieved from Arthur Sterling's personal medical vault at Mayo Clinic, which was sealed by court order before his passing.
Victoria turned pale as she glared furiously at her defense attorney.
Victoria: You told me you sealed all his medical vaults!
Defense Attorney: I... I didn't know about the Mayo Clinic vault, Mrs. Sterling!
Marcus: Furthermore, Your Honor, we submit a full audio and video recording from last night, wherein Victoria Sterling's paid agent, Julian Vance, confessed to breaking into my client's home to steal documents on Mrs. Sterling's direct orders.
Judge Vance leaned forward, his brows furrowing as he reviewed the digital tablet on his desk.
Judge Vance: Is this recording authentic, Mr. Hayes?
Marcus: Sworn and verified by the city police department, Your Honor. Mr. Vance is currently in custody facing felony burglary and conspiracy charges.
Judge Vance slammed his heavy wooden gavel down onto the desk with a loud, echoing crack.
Judge Vance: That is quite enough. I have seen all the evidence I need to see.