Eleanor pulled her arm free and stumbled back onto the lower steps.
Her expensive coat fell open, revealing a thick manila envelope tucked into her waistband.
David stepped forward and snatched the envelope before she could cover it.
He pulled out the top document and quickly scanned the heading at the top.
It was a legal petition to declare Lily unfit for her court-appointed inheritance.
The paperwork was already stamped by a disreputable notary from out of state.
David: You were setting up a fake kidnapping to gain legal guardianship.
Eleanor: It was the only way to save this estate from being squandered!
David: Squandered on my daughter's future education and medical care?
Eleanor: She doesn't need millions of dollars, David, I built this life with your father!
David ripped the papers in half and tossed them onto the marble floor.
The torn pieces scattered across the polished tile near Eleanor's designer shoes.
Eleanor: You just destroyed legal documents, David!
David: I destroyed evidence of your endless greed and cruelty.
Lily crept closer to David's side, hiding behind his right leg.
David reached down and gently cupped the side of his daughter's face.
David: Are you hurt anywhere else, baby?
Lily: My knees hurt from being squeezed in the dark.
David felt a cold rage settle deep into his bones at those words.
He looked back up at Eleanor, his expression completely hardened into steel.
David: You locked a child in an airtight space for money.
Eleanor: It was only for twenty minutes while the driver arrived!
David: You belong behind bars, Eleanor, and I will personally ensure it happens.
Eleanor sank down onto the bottom stair, her hands covering her face.
The grand foyer felt suddenly colder as the truth settled over all of them.
David pulled out his mobile phone and dialed three familiar numbers directly.
He held the phone to his ear while keeping his eyes fixed on Eleanor.
David: I need emergency officers at the Vance estate immediately.