Arthur: Hello, Julian? It's Arthur Vance.
Julian: Arthur, I need you to file emergency divorce papers and an immediate restraining order against Victoria. We have a child endangerment situation at the house.
Arthur: Good Lord, Julian. Is Leo alright?
Julian: He's safe upstairs with Maria now, but I have clear security video of Victoria putting an iron chain around his neck in the foyer.
Arthur: That is aggravated child abuse and unlawful restraint, Julian. I will file the emergency petition with the court immediately. A judge will sign the temporary protective order within thirty minutes.
Julian: Send a process server directly to the front gates. She has one hour to vacate the premises.
Arthur: Understood. I'll also notify the district attorney's office and attach the cloud video file to the report.
Julian: Thank you, Arthur. Hurry.
Julian ended the call and placed his phone back into his pocket, looking at Victoria with a cold, unyielding stare.
Victoria: You planned this... you set a trap for me!
Julian: I didn't set a trap, Victoria. I brought my son into my home expecting my wife to show a grain of human decency. You set your own trap through your own hatred.
Victoria: I won't leave! You can't force me out of my own home without a court order!
Julian: The court order will be at the gate in twenty minutes, Victoria. If you are still inside this foyer when the officers arrive, they will escort you out in handcuffs.
Victoria: You monster... you cold, heartless monster!
Julian: The only monster in this room is the woman who chained a weeping seven-year-old boy to a floor because she was afraid of losing her trust fund.
Victoria's jaw clenched as tears of pure rage welled in her eyes. Realizing that Julian was completely unwavering, she turned around, grabbed the silk skirt of her gown, and began climbing the grand staircase toward the guest bedrooms.
Julian: Don't bother going near the master suite, Victoria. Maria locked the door from the inside, and I've already changed the electronic keycodes.
Victoria: I hate you, Julian Sterling! I hate you and that filthy child!
Julian: Save your breath for the judge, Victoria.
Julian watched her retreat up the stairs until her heavy footsteps faded down the hall. He took a deep, cleansing breath, feeling the tension in his shoulders slowly release as the quiet peace of the mansion returned.