The sound of shattered glass filled the quiet study as Evelyn's phone hit the polished desk. Evelyn backed toward the door, her heart pounding in her chest as Victoria stepped closer, holding her stolen designer bag tightly against her side. Victoria's expression was full of malicious triumph, confident that her plan was completely foolproof.
Victoria: Did you really think a hotel maid could replace someone like me? You don't belong in this world, Evelyn!
Evelyn: You're insane, Victoria! You're risking a prison sentence just to destroy my life!
Victoria: Nobody will believe a word you say! When I place this envelope in your bag, my father will call the local sheriff. You'll be locked away before sunset!
Evelyn: I won't let you frame me again!
Evelyn rushed toward the open doorway to call for help, but Victoria moved surprisingly fast, grabbing Evelyn by the shoulders and shoving her back into the room. Evelyn lost her balance and stumbled against the heavy edge of the mahogany desk, letting out a gasp of pain as her arm struck the wood. Victoria reached into her handbag, pulling out the thick brown envelope containing the valuable bearer bond, intending to drop it into Evelyn's open work tote on the chair.
Victoria: Stay down! Just accept your place in life!
Evelyn: No!
Evelyn reached out and grabbed Victoria's wrist, fighting with all her strength to keep the envelope away from her bag. The two women struggled near the center of the room, knocking over a crystal paperweight that crashed onto the hardwood floor. Victoria screamed in frustration, bringing her free hand down to strike Evelyn across the shoulder, trying to break the younger woman's grip.
Victoria: Let go of me, you worthless brat!
Evelyn: Mrs. Vance! Help! Somebody call security!
At that moment, the sudden sound of heavy footsteps echoed down the grand hallway outside the study. The heavy oak doors were pushed wide open, hitting the wall with a loud bang. Julian Vance stepped into the room, followed closely by two uniformed estate security guards and his mother, Eleanor, who was leaning on a wooden cane.
Julian's eyes swept across the room in a single second, taking in the shattered glass on his desk, the opened metal safe, and Victoria physically shoving Evelyn against the furniture.
Julian: WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!
Victoria immediately froze, dropping her arms and stumbling back two steps. She instantly tried to change her expression from rage to panic, clutching her chest as if she were the victim of an unexpected attack.
Victoria: Julian! Thank God you're home! I came here to return your board keys, and I caught this girl opening your private safe!
Evelyn: That's a lie! Mr. Vance, she snuck into the house with an old gate pass! She was trying to plant that envelope in my bag!
Victoria: Look at the safe, Julian! It's broken open! She was trying to rob your mother again, just like she did at the gala!
Julian did not say a word. He walked slowly toward his desk, his face completely emotionless. He picked up the broken glass from Evelyn's phone, then turned his gaze toward the metal filing cabinet where the lock showed obvious marks of forced entry.
Julian: Victoria, do you really think I'm that stupid?
Victoria: Julian, I swear on my life! I caught her red-handed! Ask your security guards to search her!
Eleanor: Victoria Vance, you have no shame whatsoever. Evelyn was with me in the parlor five minutes ago before I sent her to get my trust documents.
Julian: Beyond that, Victoria... you seem to have forgotten how this estate is run.
Julian pointed his finger up toward the top corner of the study, near the high ceiling moulding. Sitting quietly in the corner was a small, high-definition security camera with a glowing green indicator light.
Julian: That camera records twenty-four hours a day directly to a secure cloud server. I received an automatic security alert on my mobile phone the moment you entered this room without authorization ten minutes ago.
Victoria's face instantly drained of all color. She looked up at the tiny camera lens, her jaw dropping open in total shock as she realized her entire scheme had been caught on live video.
Victoria: Julian... wait! I... I can explain!
Julian: I watched the entire stream on my phone while driving up the driveway, Victoria. I watched you pick the lock. I watched you break Evelyn's phone. And I watched you physically assault my employee for the second time this week.
Victoria: Julian, please! I was just desperate! Your buyout is going to ruin my family's business standing! I just wanted my leverage back!
Julian: You didn't just break our business contract, Victoria. You committed breaking and entering, attempted grand larceny, and physical assault.
Julian turned to the two uniformed estate security officers standing near the door, pointing directly at Victoria.
Julian: Restrain her immediately and hold her in the gatehouse. The district attorney and the local police are already on their way.