They walked upstairs to the guest master suite on the east wing.
The room was cluttered with expensive clothes and empty shoe boxes.
Clara walked over to the tall oak wardrobe in the corner.
She opened the lower drawer and pulled out a small black box.
Clara: This is the box I saw yesterday morning, sir.
Richard took the heavy metal box and checked the keyhole lock.
He used a small desk key from his pocket to pick it.
The lock clicked softly and the lid swung open wide.
Inside lay several legal documents stamped with official red seals.
Richard picked up the top document and scanned the fine print.
His face grew pale as he read through the secret contract.
Richard: This is an unauthorized transfer form for Lily's trust fund.
Clara: What does that mean for your daughter, Mr. Sterling?
Richard: It means Victoria planned to make herself the sole guardian.
Richard: If anything happened to me, she would inherit every penny.
At the bottom of the box lay a small digital voice recorder.
Richard pressed the play button on the side of the device.
A clear recording of Victoria's voice filled the quiet bedroom.
Victoria's Voice: Once I get rid of the child, Richard will yield.
Victoria's Voice: The maid is useless and will never suspect a thing.
Victoria's Voice: We will divide the assets as soon as the court approves.
Clara gasped in horror as she listened to the harsh words.
Clara: She was planning this from the very beginning, sir!
Richard: She used my grief after my wife died to trap me.
Richard held the recorder tightly in his trembling right hand.
Richard: This recording is enough to send her to prison for fraud.
Suddenly, the sound of heavy footsteps echoed from the lower hallway.
Clara stepped toward the bedroom door and peeked outside carefully.
Victoria was walking up the main staircase with her defense lawyer.
Victoria: I am taking my personal belongings right now, Arthur.
Lawyer: Make sure you collect every legal paper from the bedroom.
Clara turned back to Richard with a look of high alert.
Clara: They are upstairs right now to retrieve this box!
Richard: Let them come right in and face the truth.