Arthur walked past Victoria and marched straight toward the master study down the hallway.
Victoria hurried behind him, her high heels clicking loudly across the wood.
Victoria: You have no right to go through my personal belongings, Arthur!
Arthur: Everything in this home is under my sole ownership and responsibility.
Arthur opened the thick oak door to his home office and stepped inside.
The room had been rearranged during his three weeks away on business.
New expensive oil paintings hung where his family photographs used to be placed.
Arthur marched over to the main desk and pulled open the top drawer.
Inside lay a stack of unfamiliar bank transfer documents and legal letters.
Arthur: What are these financial transfer forms doing on my desk?
Victoria tried to snatch the papers out of his hands, but he pushed her hand back.
Victoria: Those are private financial documents regarding my personal business affairs!
Arthur read the bold heading at the top of the white paper.
Arthur: You attempted to transfer funds from Lily's inheritance trust account?
Victoria: I applied for management access to invest the funds more wisely!
Arthur: You tried to disinherit my daughter behind my back!
Arthur flipped through the remaining pages with rising fury in his chest.
He saw forged signatures made to resemble his own clean hand writing.
Arthur: You forged my official signature on legal trust documents, Victoria!
Victoria: Nobody was using those funds, Arthur, and my brother needed investment capital!
Arthur: You used my daughter's future fund to finance your family's failed debt?
Lily walked into the study and stood quietly beside the tall wooden door frame.
Lily: Dad... I found my mother's lockbox in Victoria's bedroom closet under towels.
Lily held the small wooden box close to her chest with both hands.
Arthur looked at his daughter and felt a deep wave of personal guilt.
Arthur: I am so sorry I left you alone with this ruthless woman, Lily.
Lily: It is not your fault, Dad, she acted nice whenever you were around.
Victoria glared at the young girl with intense hatred in her eyes.
Victoria: You ungrateful little pest, I gave you food and shelter here!
Arthur: Stop yelling at my child before I have security escort you out!
Victoria: You cannot throw me out of this mansion without a judge's ruling!
Arthur: Watch me turn your whole world upside down right here today.
Arthur pulled his cell phone from his suit jacket pocket without hesitation.
Victoria: Who are you calling at this hour of the afternoon?
Arthur: My corporate divorce lawyer and the head of private security.
Victoria stepped closer and grabbed Arthur's arm to stop the phone call.
Victoria: Think about your business reputation before you make a public mistake!
Arthur shook her hand off his arm with firm cold precision.
Arthur: My family comes before any corporate reputation on this earth.