Arthur placed the legal papers on the polished mahogany coffee table in the middle of the room.
He turned his gaze toward Victoria, who remained standing near the grand marble staircase.
Arthur: Where is the safe key, Victoria? We need to verify the estate bank accounts right now.
Victoria: I do not have to answer your aggressive questions in my own home!
Elena: The safe key is inside her dark red briefcase, Mr. Vance!
Victoria: Keep your mouth shut, you pathetic little maid!
Victoria made a sudden dash toward the side hallway leading to the service elevator.
Arthur reacted quickly and stepped directly into her path, cutting off her escape route.
Arthur: Running away will only make your legal position significantly worse, Victoria.
Arthur: If you refuse to cooperate, the police officer waiting outside will step indoors.
Victoria stopped in her tracks as her eyes widened in complete horror.
She looked toward the front glass doors and saw a white police cruiser parked near the fountain.
Victoria: You brought the police to my family's private estate?
Arthur: I brought law enforcement because grand larceny is a very serious federal crime.
Elena set Leo down on the soft rug and stood up beside the family attorney.
She pointed toward the red briefcase that Victoria was still holding tightly under her arm.
Elena: She has been taking cash from the master bedroom safe every single night this week.
Elena: I saw her transfer funds into an offshore account using Mr. Julian's private laptop.
Victoria: You were spying on me? You treacherous little insect!
Elena: I was protecting this home from a thief who sought to ruin a child!
Victoria raised her hand in outrage, but Arthur pulled out his smartphone to record the interaction.
The bright screen flashed as the lawyer captured her angry face on video.
Arthur: Set the briefcase on the table immediately, Victoria, or face instant arrest.
Slowly and reluctantly, Victoria walked over and slammed the leather briefcase down on the table.
The heavy latch popped open, revealing stacks of cash, gold coins, and private account ledgers.
Elena gasped as she saw the sheer volume of wealth stolen from the estate over recent weeks.
Elena: You tried to bleed this trust dry before Leo ever grew old enough to claim it!
Arthur: This evidence is more than enough to secure an immediate temporary restraining order.
Victoria sank into a nearby armchair, her face drained of all color and pride.
The arrogant woman who walked through the foyer like a queen was finally stripped of her power.