Victoria's panic transformed into bitter anger as she realized Gabriel was not bluffing. She began pacing the dining room, her heels clicking loudly against the floorboards as she tried to scramble for leverage. She reminded him of the thick prenup agreement they had signed before walking down the aisle, claiming that divorcing her would cost him millions of dollars from his family trust fund. She thought her legal standing would scare him into staying silent and sweeping the horrific incident under the rug.
Victoria: Remember the contract, Gabriel! If you leave me, my lawyers will take half your empire!
Gabriel: You really think I care about money after what you just did?
Victoria: You will when you see how much this mistake costs you in court!
Gabriel let out a bitter, dry laugh that made Victoria stop in her tracks. He reached into his suit jacket pocket and pulled out a folded piece of official legal paper that had arrived earlier that very afternoon. It was an updated amendment to his late father's estate trust, a document he had intended to share with her during dinner before her ugly display of cruelty ruined everything.
He unfolded the paper and held it up so she could see the official state seal stamped at the bottom. The document explicitly stated that Gabriel's entire inheritance and company control were protected by a strict moral conduct clause. If his spouse engaged in unlawful behavior or physical abuse toward household staff, the marriage contract would be declared completely null and void under state law, leaving her with absolutely nothing.
Victoria's jaw dropped open as her eyes scanned the crisp legal text. Her mind raced as she remembered the explicit warning her father-in-law had given her years ago about maintaining humility. She had assumed those words were just empty speeches from an old man, never realizing that the legal terms were binding and fully active. Her threats of taking his wealth evaporated into thin air in a matter of seconds.
Gabriel: My father knew your family's true reputation. He built this clause specifically for people like you.
Victoria: This isn't real... You faked this paper to scare me!
Gabriel: Try me in court and see what happens. You won't receive a single dime.
Victoria: Gabriel, please! We can fix this! I will apologize to her right now!
Gabriel: It is way too late for fake tears, Victoria. The damage is already done.