Chapter 11 - THE LEGAL BATTLE BEGINS
Monday morning arrived with a biting chill as media vans crowded the steps of the downtown county courthouse.
Camera flashes blinded the steps as Victoria Cole was escorted from a police transport van in handcuffs.
She wore an orange jumpsuit instead of her crimson red evening gown, her dark hair pulled back without makeup.
Inside the crowded courtroom, Judge Henderson presided over the emergency arraignment with stern, uncompromising professionalism.
"Ms. Cole, you are formally charged with three counts of felony child abuse, false imprisonment, and grand wire fraud," Judge Henderson stated coldly.
Victoria’s high-priced defense attorney stood up immediately, gesturing frantically toward the bench.
"Your Honor, my client pleads not guilty to all charges and requests release on standard financial bail," the defense lawyer argued smoothly.
Mark sat in the front row of the gallery wearing his navy blue suit, his expression carved from stone.
"Denied, Counsel," Judge Henderson interrupted firmly, banging his gavel down with a sharp crack.
"Given the severity of the flight risk and the heinous nature of the charges, the defendant will be held without bond," the judge ruled decisively.
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Victoria gasped in outrage, turning her head to glare at Mark with pure, venomous hatred from the defense table.
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