Mark carried Lily into the warm house and dried her off.
He gave her fresh clothing and sat her on the sofa.
He placed the golden key safely inside his suit jacket pocket.
Victoria walked into the living room holding her leather purse.
Victoria: I am going to the mall for a few hours.
Father: You are not leaving this room until we talk.
Victoria: You cannot command me like a little child, Mark!
Father: I am calling my estate lawyer right this second.
Victoria froze near the front door entryway and turned around.
Mark pulled out his phone and dialed his trusted legal advisor.
He asked the attorney to check all records regarding his late wife.
The lawyer mentioned a hidden trust fund created eight years ago.
That specific account required a custom key to open the vault.
The attorney explained that the funds were meant solely for Lily.
Mark put the phone on speaker mode on the table.
Father: Does anyone else have permission to touch that trust fund?
Lawyer: Only the person holding the physical key can claim access.
Lawyer: Your current wife visited our offices last week asking about it.
Mark looked up from the table with a cold stare.
Victoria pressed her lips together into a thin angry line.
Father: Why were you asking my lawyer about my daughter's fund?
Victoria: I was just looking out for our family finances!
Father: That money belongs to Lily and her future alone!
Victoria: You spend way too much money on that little girl!
Father: She is my daughter, and that is her mother's legacy!
Mark finally saw the greedy truth behind his wife's smile.
Victoria had married him only for his high family status and wealth.
She wanted to steal the inheritance left for little Lily.
She threw the toy into the pool hoping the key would sink.
She hoped the water damage would hide her greedy intentions forever.
Mark stood tall and blocked the front door completely.
Father: You are never getting your hands on this key.
Victoria: You can't prove I did anything wrong at all!
Father: The security cameras on the patio saw everything clearly.