Arthur: You really think I brought my pregnant wife into a house filled with snakes without taking precautions?
Victoria: What are you talking about?
Arthur tapped the screen of his smartphone three times, then held it high above his head so the entire foyer could see the live display connected to the mansion's internal network.
Arthur: Four days ago, I installed four 4K motion-activated security cameras in the crown molding of this foyer to protect the estate artwork.
Victoria: You... you what?!
Julian: That's illegal! You can't install private cameras without board approval!
Arthur: I own fifty-one percent of the real estate holding company that owns this physical building, Julian. I don't need your approval to secure my own property.
Arthur pressed play on the screen. The high-definition video played back crystal-clear audio and video directly through the connected sound system in the hallway. Victoria's voice echoed through the foyer loud and clear.
"I don't care about your baby, Clara! Get out of my father's house!"
The footage clearly captured Victoria extending both arms, shoving Clara with full force, and laughing alongside Julian as Clara tumbled violently down the marble staircase.
Guest 1: She actually pushed her! Look at the screen!
Guest 2: That's attempted murder! She pushed a pregnant woman!
Police Officer: Miss Sterling, step down off those stairs right now with your hands where we can see them.
Victoria's face turned completely white, all the smug arrogance vanishing in a single second as she looked down at the police officers advancing up the steps.
Victoria: Wait! Officer, please! It was an accident! I was just trying to scare her!
Police Officer: You pushed a heavily pregnant woman down a twenty-foot marble staircase on camera, ma'am. Keep your hands visible!
Julian: Officer, listen to me, I didn't touch her! I was just standing there!
Arthur: The footage shows you cheering her on, Julian. That makes you an accomplice to aggravated assault and conspiracy.
Paramedic: Blood pressure is stabilizing, but we need to transport her to the trauma center immediately! Sir, come with us!
Clara: Arthur... don't leave my side...
Arthur: I'm right here, baby. I'm coming with you in the ambulance.
The paramedics lifted Clara carefully onto the stretcher, securing her straps as they rolled her toward the front exit. Arthur walked alongside them, holding Clara's hand tightly while turning to give one final look at Victoria and Julian, who were being pushed against the marble wall by police officers.
Victoria: Arthur, tell them to stop! You're destroying our family name in front of everyone!
Arthur: You destroyed this family the day you tried to hurt my wife and child, Victoria. Now you get to spend the next ten years answering for it.
Julian: Arthur! Please! We can talk about the inheritance! We can give you the entire firm!
Arthur: Keep your stolen firm, Julian. The court is going to strip everything from you tomorrow anyway.