Julian held the manila folder tightly as he walked back out to the balcony overlooking the grand foyer. The crowd of wealthy guests, city officials, and reporters gathered below looked up, camera flashes exploding in the air.
Julian: Ladies and gentlemen, please look at these documents!
Evelyn: Stop him! Somebody take those papers from him!
Julian: Six months ago, my father Arthur Sterling passed away suddenly. My stepmother Evelyn claimed he died of natural causes and took complete control of Sterling Global Enterprises!
Guest D: Is that the official coroner's report?
Julian: This is the true report that she bribed the medical examiner to hide! My father was murdered with arsenic poison!
A loud collective gasp swept through the ballroom. Reporters from the local news stations began holding up their microphones, recording every word.
Reporter A: Mr. Sterling! Are you accusing Evelyn Sterling of murder?
Julian: I am accusing her of murder, forgery, and attempted murder of my pregnant wife!
Evelyn: He's making it up! He forged those papers himself to steal my company!
Julian: Check the serial numbers on these documents, Evelyn. They match the state medical board database. And that's not all that was in the safe.
Julian held up the small audio tape recorder, pressing the play button. A scratchy recording of Arthur's voice echoed loudly through the mansion's sound system.
Arthur's Voice: "If you are listening to this tape... it means Evelyn succeeded in ending my life. She has been slipping powder into my nightly tea... I have hidden the real will with my attorney, Judge Harrison... Maya is to receive full control of the trust..."
The entire hall fell dead silent as Arthur's voice faded out. Evelyn stumbled against the velvet couch, her face completely drained of color as she looked around at the staring crowd.
Richard: You killed him... you actually killed him!
Evelyn: Richard, shut up! We can fight this in court!
Richard: I'm not going to prison for you, Mother! I had nothing to do with the poison!
Julian: You helped her hide Maya's pregnancy records from the board of directors, Richard! You're just as guilty!
Richard: She forced me! She threatened to cut me off without a single cent if I didn't help her keep Maya away from the gala!
Evelyn: You ungrateful coward! I did everything for your future!
Richard: You did it for yourself! You loved money more than anyone in this world!
Two police officers pushed through the heavy front doors, accompanied by Detective Vance of the city homicide unit.
Detective Vance: Police! Nobody move! Where is Evelyn Sterling?
Julian: She's right up here, Detective. And I have all the evidence you need right here in this folder.
Evelyn: Detective Vance, this is a family misunderstanding! My stepson is mentally unstable!
Detective Vance: Save it for the interrogation room, ma'am. We already arrested Dr. Evans twenty minutes ago. He gave a full confession about the arsenic poisoning.
Evelyn gasped, her knees giving out as she fell onto the marble floor. Her crimson gown lay crumpled around her like a puddle of blood as the officers approached with metal handcuffs.