Arthur walked over to his heavy mahogany desk situated near the large American flag display.
He pulled out a thick leather binder containing important estate documents and legal trust files.
Victoria's eyes widened with immediate anxiety as she saw the gold-embossed seal on the cover.
"What are you doing with the family trust documents right now?" Victoria asked nervously.
Arthur opened the file calmly, turning the crisp pages until he reached the final section.
"I updated my will last week through my corporate divorce lawyer," Arthur announced clearly.
Elena looked up in surprise, not knowing her father had met with legal council recently.
"Everything in this estate is divided equally between Elena and Maya," Arthur stated firmly.
Victoria gasped loudly, clutching her chest with her ring-adorned hand in total disbelief.
"You gave control of the primary real estate fund to a infant?" Victoria shrieked loudly.
"I protected my bloodline from people who care only about money," Arthur answered sternly.
Victoria took two fast steps toward the desk, her face red with bitter jealousy.
"I spent fifteen years building your public image and managing this household!" Victoria screamed.
"And you spent those fifteen years trying to push my daughter out," Arthur replied smoothly.
Elena held Maya close, watching her stepmother's composed facade shatter completely into pieces.
Victoria reached out to snatch the legal paper from the desk, but Arthur slammed it shut.
The loud thud resonated through the tall room, ending Victoria's attempt to take the file.
"You cannot treat me like a common stranger after everything I did!" Victoria yelled desperately.
"Your greed has ruined your standing in this family," Arthur declared without hesitation.
Elena saw the sheer terror in Victoria's eyes as the reality set in deeply.
The fortune Victoria had schemed for was now entirely out of her reach forever.
Silence fell heavy across the grand room as Arthur reached for the internal house phone.