Arthur sat on the velvet sofa while holding Lily close in his lap.
His trusted lawyer Thomas arrived at the estate within twenty minutes of the call.
Thomas was a senior attorney who had managed Arthur's family trust for decades.
He set his dark leather briefcase onto the coffee table with a stern look on his face.
Thomas: Are you and the little girl completely unhurt Arthur?
Arthur: We are safe for now, but Victoria has crossed a dangerous line today.
Thomas: Tell me exactly what took place on that second floor balcony landing.
Arthur explained every detail of how Victoria was standing near the dangerous iron railing.
He described her cold words and the terrified look in his young daughter's eyes.
Thomas nodded slowly while making detailed notes inside his yellow legal pad.
Thomas: This behavior confirms the suspicious reports my private investigator gathered last week.
Arthur looked up with a startled expression on his tired face.
Arthur: What private investigator are you talking about Thomas?
Thomas: I hired a team to look into Victoria's financial activities two weeks ago.
Arthur: Did you discover something bad about her past marriages or accounts?
Thomas unzipped his briefcase and pulled out a thick Manila folder filled with documents.
Thomas: Victoria has accumulated vast personal debts at several high-end offshore casinos.
Arthur gasped loudly as he stared at the red financial red ink printed on the bank sheets.
Thomas: She was trying to force a change in your family inheritance setup.
Arthur: She wanted to remove Lily as the primary beneficiary of the family estate!
Thomas: That is correct Arthur.
Victoria walked into the living room with her arms crossed over her chest.
She looked down her nose at the two men with total contempt and arrogance.
Victoria: You have no right to dig into my private financial records behind my back!
Thomas: As the executor of the estate, I have every legal right to investigate fraud.
Victoria: This house belongs to my husband, which means I have rights here too!
Arthur: This mansion belongs strictly to the family trust created before our wedding!
Victoria's eyes narrowed into sharp slitting lines as her face flushed deep red.
Victoria: You promised me full security when I signed that silly agreement!
Arthur: The prenuptial contract specifically voids all financial claims in cases of child endangerment!
Victoria took a quick step toward the coffee table with a sudden furious glare.
Victoria: You framed this entire narrative just to cut me out of your fortune!
Arthur: The security cameras recorded the entire scene on the balcony floor!
Victoria froze in her tracks as her face drained completely of color.
She had forgotten about the newly installed high-definition cameras mounted along the high ceiling corners.
Thomas picked up a small black remote control and pointed it toward the wall screen.