Three days after Evelyn's arrest, the Vance estate was filled with investigators and legal experts. Detective Harris stood in the foyer near the American flag, reviewing a stack of financial documents with Julian and his corporate attorney, Marcus.
Detective Harris: "Mr. Vance, our team finished searching Evelyn's personal laptop and bank accounts this morning."
Julian: "What did you find, Detective?"
Detective Harris: "It appears this was not an impulsive decision. She has been planning this for over four months."
Marcus: "We found search records on her browser detailing floor plans, balcony heights, and impact statistics for young children."
Julian gripped his fist tightly, his knuckles turning white as he suppressed a wave of disgust.
Julian: "She was researching how to kill my child?"
Detective Harris: "Yes, sir. She also forged your signature on an insurance policy three weeks ago, taking out a two-million-dollar life insurance policy on Clara."
Marcus: "That constitutes attempted murder for financial gain, insurance fraud, forgery, and grand larceny. She is facing a mandatory minimum of thirty years in prison."
Julian: "Good. I want her to serve every single day of that sentence."
Detective Harris: "The prosecutor has already denied her bail. She will remain in the county jail until her trial begins."
Clara walked into the foyer holding a warm cup of cocoa, accompanied by the family nanny, Sarah.
Clara: "Daddy, is the nice detective helping us?"
Julian: "Yes, sweetheart. Detective Harris is making sure that bad person stays far away from us forever."
Detective Harris: "You were very brave, little lady. Your father tells me you remembered everything she said to you."
Clara: "I told Daddy the truth because he promised he would save me."
Detective Harris: "And he did. You have a great father."
Detective Harris tipped his hat to Julian, packed his files into a leather briefcase, and walked out through the front entrance doors.
Marcus turned to Julian with a gentle smile, placing a hand on his shoulder.
Marcus: "Julian, the pre-nuptial agreement contains a strict criminal clause. Because she attempted a felony against your family, her rights to any marital property are completely voided."
Julian: "So she gets nothing."
Marcus: "She gets nothing, and she will be forced to pay back the funds she attempted to transfer out of your estate."
Julian: "Thank you, Marcus. Make sure her legal team knows we will fight every single appeal she files."
Marcus: "Consider it done. Rest easy, Julian. Your family is safe now."
As Marcus left, Julian walked over to Clara and sat beside her on the grand sofa under the warm sunlight streaming through the windows.