By afternoon, Victoria was searching through Arthur's private desk upstairs.
She found the thick black folder containing his updated last will and testament.
Her green silk sleeves brushed against the desk as she flipped through the legal pages.
Her eyes widened in disbelief when she read the final financial distribution terms.
Victoria: He gave almost everything to that little girl!
The legal document stated that the entire estate belonged strictly to Lily upon adulthood.
Victoria was only entitled to a modest living allowance if Arthur passed away.
She felt a surge of rage tighten across her chest as she closed the file.
Victoria: I spent three years with him for this?
She paced around the high balcony overlooking the grand foyer below.
The sunlit foyer was empty, framed by the large American flag on the main wall.
Lily was playing quietly on the lower lounge sofa with a small stuffed bear.
Victoria watched the young girl from the upper railings with narrow, angry eyes.
Victoria: She is taking away what belongs to me.
She walked down the curved staircase to confront Arthur in his study.
Victoria: We need to talk about our family financial planning right now.
Arthur looked up from his computer with a calm, focused expression.
Arthur: What about it, Victoria? Everything is already settled properly.
Victoria: You should make me the sole trustee of the estate trust fund.
Arthur: Lily is my daughter, and her future is fully protected.
Victoria folded her arms, her emerald green dress tight against her posture.
Victoria: Do you not trust your own wife with our family's money?
Arthur: I trust my lawyer, and I protect my daughter's future first.
Victoria turned on her heel and walked out of the study without another word.
She knew she could not convince Arthur through quiet conversations anymore.
Her mind began searching for a way to force Lily out of the household entirely.
She planned to make the young girl look completely unsafe under Arthur's care.