Julian ran down the slippery dock as fast as he could.
His leather shoes pounded loudly against the heavy wooden planks.
Julian: Get away from her!
Victoria spun around in total surprise at his sudden voice.
Julian reached her and pushed her away from the water edge forcefully.
Victoria lost her balance and staggered backward onto the hard wood.
Her dark hair whipped around her face as she gasped in shock.
Julian dropped the bottle and stepped right up to Victoria's face.
His whole body was shaking with intense rage and fear.
Julian: You sick woman! Touch her again and I will ruin you!
Victoria: Julian, wait! You misunderstand what happened here!
Julian did not listen to her desperate excuses for one second.
He turned immediately toward the edge of the dark dock.
Eleanor was choking and trying to keep her head above water.
Julian dropped to his knees and reached down with both arms.
Julian: Mom, grab my hands! I have got you!
Eleanor reached up with cold, trembling fingers and held his sleeves.
Julian pulled with all his strength to lift her onto the wood.
The cold lake water dripped from Eleanor's dress onto the dock.
She fell forward into her son's arms, coughing and shivering violently.
Julian pulled his warm suit jacket off and wrapped it around her.
Eleanor: She... she pushed me, Julian. She wanted me gone.
Julian felt his blood run cold at his mother's raspy words.
He looked up at Victoria, who was smoothing her green dress.
Victoria tried to force a gentle, innocent look onto her face.
Victoria: She tripped, Julian! I was trying to use the stick to help her!
Eleanor: That is a lie! She asked me to walk out here alone!
Eleanor: She said we needed to talk about the family trust fund.
Eleanor: Then she shoved me from behind before I could turn around!
Julian stood up slowly and faced his wife in the moonlight.
Victoria took a step back as she saw the dark look in his eyes.
Julian: Why would you do this to my mother, Victoria?
Victoria: She has been trying to ruin our marriage since day one!
Victoria: She told you not to sign the new estate papers last week!
Julian remembered the legal papers Victoria had asked him to sign.
Those papers would have given Victoria control of the lake mansion.
If Eleanor passed away, Victoria would automatically inherit the entire property.
The truth hit Julian like a heavy physical blow to his chest.
Victoria had never loved him or cared about his family.
She only wanted the millions of dollars tied to his name.
Julian pulled his phone out of his pocket with steady hands.
Julian: I am calling the police right now, Victoria.