The sharp sound of heavy iron gates swinging shut echoed outside the front entrance. The security team immediately stepped into position, blocking every primary door in the grand foyer. Julian backed up against a marble column, his hands clenching into tight fists as he glared across the room.
Julian: Carter, don't do this! Think about the family name! Think about the company stock!
Carter: The company stock? You tried to poison your own brother for a controlling share of the trust fund!
Julian: You took everything Dad left behind! You left me with crumbs while you sat in this mansion!
Carter: Dad left you forty million dollars in a liquid trust, Julian! You blew it all on offshore casinos and bad investments!
Maya: He offered Victoria ten percent of your estate settlement if she helped him execute the plan tonight.
Victoria: That's a lie! I didn't want any of it!
Carter: Shut up, Victoria! I saw the video! I saw you tear open the packet with your own teeth!
Carter reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out the massive engagement ring he had intended to give Victoria during the dinner speech. He didn't hesitate for a single second. He tossed the three-carat diamond down onto the hard floor, where it bounced across the marble and hit Victoria's designer heels with a loud metallic ring.
Carter: The wedding is off. The prenup is canceled. Your father’s loan guarantee is revoked as of this exact second.
Victoria: Carter, no! That loan is the only thing keeping my family out of bankruptcy court! Foreclosure papers are already filed!
Carter: Then I guess you better prepare for foreclosure. Because I'm pressing full criminal charges for attempted murder and aggravated assault.
Julian: You can't prove what was in that glass! You said she dumped it in the sink!
Maya: I didn't dump all of it. I poured half of it into a clean sample bottle from the catering kit and locked it in my locker.
Julian: You dirty little bitch!
Julian charged forward across the marble floor with his fists raised in rage. But before he could reach the catering worker, Carter stepped straight into his path. Carter grabbed his brother by his designer lapels and slammed him violently back against the wall, holding him firmly in place.
Carter: Lay one hand on her, and I won't wait for the police to handle you.
Maya: The police are already here. I dialed 911 right before I walked out into this hall.
Outside the tall windows, vivid red and blue lights began flashing against the glass. The loud wail of emergency sirens echoed down the long driveway, growing closer by the second until tires screeched to a halt right in front of the estate doors.