Julian stared down at the woman he almost married last month.
He remembered how sweet she had acted when they first met.
She had pretended to love children and value family above all.
It was all a cruel lie to get his fortune and mansion.
Julian: How long has this been going on behind my back?
Victoria: You are overreacting over a simple chore, Julian.
Julian: She is a little girl, not your house servant!
Victoria: She was being lazy and needed to work hard.
Lily: She took away my mother's picture frame yesterday too.
Julian turned his head back toward his sobbing daughter quickly.
Julian: What did she do to your mother's picture, Lily?
Lily: She threw it into the dark basement cupboard upstairs.
Victoria: That old photo didn't match the grand modern decor!
Julian felt his hands shake with uncontrollable anger and sadness.
That picture was the only memory Lily had of her mother.
Victoria had intentionally tried to erase her past completely from view.
Julian: You had no right to touch her personal belongings.
Victoria: I am going to be the mistress of this estate!
Julian: You will never hold that title in your life!
Victoria: We signed our wedding papers two weeks ago, remember?
Julian: Those legal papers were never officially filed at court!
Victoria's confident smile vanished from her painted face instantly.
She took a quick step back toward the grand wooden staircase.
Victoria: What do you mean they were not filed yet?
Julian: My estate lawyer held them until the prenuptial agreement passed.
Victoria: You lied to me about our legal marriage date!
Julian: I protected my daughter's inheritance from people like you.
Lily held onto her father's pant leg with tight fingers.
She felt safe now that her dad was standing beside her.
Victoria clutched her diamond necklace as panic started setting in.
She realized her plan to take his wealth was failing fast.