Marcus did not listen to Jessica's crying. He tapped the center of the phone screen with his thumb. In seconds, the clear audio began playing through the phone's speakers, ringing out through the sunlit entrance hall for everyone to hear.
Video Voice (Jessica): You think because you married him you get the money?! I will crush you until there's nothing left of you, Hannah!
Video Voice (Hannah): Get off me! Stop! You're breaking the glass!
Video Voice (Jessica): Know your place! You are nothing in this house!
The loud crash of the crystal vase smashing onto the oak floor was clearly captured on the recording. Right after the crash came Hannah's painful scream as Jessica forced her down into the sharp pile on the ground. The audio was clear and impossible to deny.
Marcus: You hear that, Jessica? That is the sound of you going to state prison.
Jessica: It... it's a misunderstanding! Audio can be edited! That video is a digital fake!
Marcus: It came directly from an encrypted cloud server with an official security timestamp. You're done.
Jessica: Marcus, think about the family reputation! If this video leaks to the press, the Vance Global stock will plummet!
Marcus: I don't give a damn about the stock price! I care about my wife!
Jessica: She's using you, Marcus! She only came back to town because her medical bills were piling up!
Hannah: That's not true... I came back to give Marcus the original copy of my father's actual last will...
Marcus: What will, Hannah?
With a slow and careful movement, Hannah reached into her inner coat pocket with her good hand. She pulled out an old yellow envelope that had been tucked securely inside her jacket lining. The heavy paper was slightly worn at the edges, sealed with a dark red wax stamp bearing the family crest.
Hannah: The real will... the one Dad signed before he went into the hospital... he gave it to his personal lawyer for safekeeping...
Jessica: That document is invalid! Your father signed a superseding power of attorney three days later!
Hannah: He was heavily medicated when you made him sign your fake papers, Jessica! Lawyer Henderson signed an affidavit certifying Dad's mental incapacity!
Jessica: Henderson is a senile old fool! His word means nothing in court!
Marcus: Henderson was my father's most trusted friend for forty years. A judge will believe him over a convicted felon like you.
Jessica began stepping backward toward the big double doors, her hands shaking as she kept her eyes on the entrance. Her mind was racing fast, searching for any way to escape the mess she had created. But there was nowhere left for her to run.
Jessica: I'm leaving. I'm going to get my lawyer right now.
Marcus: You're not going anywhere, Jessica. Look outside the window.
Through the large glass side panels near the front entrance, bright red and blue lights began flashing across the manicured green lawn. The sound of police sirens echoed loudly up the long drive, growing closer with every passing second.
Jessica: You... you already called them?!
Marcus: I called the police and an ambulance from my car ten minutes ago when Hannah sent me a text saying you wouldn't let her leave the house.
Jessica: Marcus, please! You can't let them arrest me! I'm your stepsister!
Marcus: You are a criminal who just committed aggravated assault in broad daylight.
Jessica stood frozen by the doorway as the sound of tires screeching reached the front porch. The long years of her tricking this family were finally over, and the consequences had caught up with her at last.