Eleanor stood frozen against the stairs, her face pale with utter defeat.
"You cannot just throw me out like this, Richard!" Eleanor protested loudly.
"We have a prenuptial agreement, Eleanor," Richard stated in a clear, icy tone.
"That agreement clearly states any act of fraud forfeits all claims to my wealth."
Eleanor realized her carefully built lifestyle was falling apart before her eyes.
She looked over at Victoria, who was holding baby Leo safely in her arms.
"This is all your fault!" Eleanor screamed, pointing a finger at Victoria.
"You brought crime into this house, Eleanor, not Victoria," Richard snapped back firmly.
Richard reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his private cell phone.
He dialed his corporate legal team directly on speakerphone for everyone to hear.
"Mr. Reiner, how can we help you today?" the lawyer answered promptly.
"Cancel all power of attorney documents associated with Eleanor Reiner immediately," Richard ordered.
"Understood, sir. We will file the emergency freeze on all accounts today."
Eleanor gasped as she heard her access to the family fortune vanish instantly.
She sank down onto the bottom carpeted step, burying her face in her hands.
The arrogance she had shown earlier was completely gone, replaced by deep shame.
Victoria felt a sense of relief wash over her quiet, weary heart.
She had endured months of Eleanor's subtle cruelty and bitter insults in silence.
Now the truth was finally out in the open where it belonged.
Richard walked over to Victoria and looked down at his young grandson, Leo.
The baby was fast asleep, peaceful and unaware of the loud drama around him.
"I am so sorry I did not see her true nature sooner, Victoria," Richard said softly.
"You were trying to keep peace in the home, Dad," Victoria replied gently.
"I almost let her ruin our family's memory," Richard admitted with tears in his eyes.
He looked back at Eleanor, who was still weeping softly on the staircase steps.
"Pack your personal belongings and leave by noon," Richard told Eleanor strictly.
"If you are still here at twelve o'clock, the security guards will escort you out."
Eleanor did not answer; she simply stood up slowly and walked up the stairs.
The quietness returned to the grand luxury foyer once again.