Within thirty minutes, the heavy front doors opened once again.
Arthur, the longtime family lawyer, walked into the marble foyer.
He carried a dark leather briefcase and looked extremely serious.
Arthur: Richard, I have the temporary restraining order ready for signature.
Victoria: This is ridiculous! He pushed me away first!
Arthur: Mrs. Vance, the security cameras in this foyer record everything constantly.
Victoria turned around and looked up toward the high corners.
She had completely forgotten about the advanced security system installed inside.
Arthur: The footage clearly shows your aggressive actions toward young Lily.
Arthur: A judge will sign this custody and protection order within the hour.
Victoria gasped as she realized the evidence was absolute.
Victoria: Richard, please, we can work through this privately!
Richard: You had every chance to treat my child with love.
Richard: Instead, you showed her cruelty behind my back.
Lily held onto her father's belt loop, feeling safer by the second.
Lily: Daddy, is she going away now?
Richard: Yes, sweetheart, she is leaving right now and never coming back.
Arthur handed the legal documents over to Victoria's trembling hands.
Arthur: You have twenty minutes to gather your personal clothing items, ma'am.
Arthur: Police officers are waiting outside the gates to escort you away.
Victoria gripped the papers tightly as tears of anger welled up.
Her velvet red gown no longer looked elegant or grand.
She looked defeated, caught completely in her own toxic web.
She turned and walked slowly up the curved marble staircase.
Richard took a deep breath of clean, quiet air inside the home.