Elena tried to brush past Julian, but he blocked her path with a firm, immovable arm.
He directed her back toward the main living area, where security cameras recorded every single movement.
Julian retrieved his phone from his suit jacket, dialing his private private investigator immediately on speaker.
The line rang twice before a stern male voice answered from the other end of the line.
Investigator: Mr. Sterling, I just finished reviewing the background report you requested.
Julian: Go ahead and share the findings out loud, Arthur.
Investigator: Elena's real surname is Vance, and she has three prior fraud convictions.
Elena: Hang up that phone right now, Julian!
Investigator: She targets wealthy estate owners, marries them quickly, and liquidates their assets within months.
Elena's face drained of all color as the investigator revealed her entire criminal history aloud.
Julian stared at her with cold contempt, realizing how close he had come to total financial ruin.
If Maria had not caught the heirloom, the hidden key would have been lost in the chaos.
Elena had planned to pretend the falling vase was an accident while slipping the key away unnoticed.
Julian: It seems your little game has come to a very sudden end, Elena.
Elena: You have no legal proof that I dropped anything intentionally!
Julian: We have high-definition cameras installed above every staircase in this foyer.
Elena: You installed security cameras without telling me?
Julian: I am a lawyer, Elena. I protect my family assets at all costs.
Maria returned to the main hall accompanied by two uniformed estate security officers in dark suits.
The officers stood at attention near the doorway, waiting for Julian's explicit instructions on how to proceed.
Elena looked around the room, realizing she was completely cornered with no way out of the situation.
Julian: Please escort this woman off my property immediately and hold her for the police.
Elena: You will regret this day, Julian! I will take half of everything!
Julian: You signed a prenuptial agreement that forfeits all claims in cases of attempted fraud.