Arthur gestured toward the far end of the long conference room table.
A thick leather briefcase sat open near his private oak desk frame.
Arthur: Do you know why I returned early from my city meeting?
Victoria swallowed hard, her eyes darting toward the leather briefcase nervously.
Victoria: I assume the board meeting ended earlier than expected, Arthur.
Arthur: The forensic auditors finished their full review this morning, Victoria.
The words hung in the air like heavy smoke after a fire.
Victoria's confidence completely vanished into thin air within two short seconds.
Elena: Forensic auditors? What did they find out, Arthur?
Arthur: They found six secret offshore accounts opened under Victoria's name.
Elena let out a quiet gasp as she looked at her stepmother.
Victoria tried to speak, but her throat had gone totally dry now.
Arthur: Over twelve million dollars transferred from our family trust fund.
Victoria: That... those were strategic offshore investments for the company!
Arthur: They were personal accounts set up in Panama and the Caymans!
Arthur took out his smartphone and tapped the screen two times.
He held the screen directly in front of Victoria's frozen face.
Arthur: Look at these signatures, Victoria. You forged my private name.
Victoria: I had power of attorney! I acted in your best interest!
Arthur: You acted out of pure theft and criminal deception, Victoria!
He lowered the phone and handed Maya back into Elena's safe arms.
Then Arthur stepped up to the edge of his mahogany study desk.
He pulled out a heavy folder filled with stamped legal court documents.
Arthur: I filed for an annulment of our marriage three hours ago.
Victoria gasped, her hand flying up to cover her mouth in shock.
Victoria: An annulment?! You cannot erase five years of marriage!
Arthur: Fraud invalidates every single document you ever signed with me.
Elena felt a massive wave of relief wash over her whole body.
She looked down at Maya, who was now smiling up at her.
The nightmare that had haunted their lives was finally coming apart.
Victoria realized her entire position of wealth was dissolving right now.
Victoria: I will sue you for half of everything you own, Arthur!
Arthur: You will be lucky if you stay out of federal prison!
He pointed a long, rigid finger toward the grand front entrance doors.
Arthur: The police officers are already waiting outside near the gates.
Victoria's knees buckled slightly, but she managed to catch her balance.
Victoria: You would really arrest your own wife over money matters?
Arthur: You stopped being my wife the moment you threatened my family!