Later that afternoon, the house felt strangely quiet as the sun began to sink low.
Sarah walked slowly down the long hallway toward the private library to fetch a book.
Her champagne satin dress rustled softly against the polished floorboards with every step she took.
She paused outside the half-open door of the study when she heard hushed voices inside.
Victoria was standing near the large wall safe behind David's mahogany desk.
She was holding a thick manila folder crammed with official legal papers in her hands.
Victoria: Once I change these terms, the entire estate will remain mine.
Sarah gasped softly and backed away, but her shoe clicked loudly on the hard floor.
Victoria spun around instantly with a fierce look of surprise across her harsh features.
Victoria: What are you doing sneaking around out in the hallway?
Sarah: I was just coming to find something to read this afternoon.
Victoria quickly shoved the thick papers behind her back to hide them from view.
Victoria: You were spying on me because you want our family money!
Sarah: I do not care about the money at all, Victoria!
Victoria: You lie just like everyone else who comes from nothing!
Sarah turned around to head back toward the main living room to find David.
Victoria stepped forward rapidly and blocked the doorway with her arms crossed tight.
Victoria: You are not going anywhere until we settle this matter right now!
Sarah: Please move out of my way because you are scaring me!
Victoria: I want you out of this house before sunset today!
Sarah held her ground and looked straight into Victoria's hostile eyes without flinching.
Sarah: This is David's home and I am staying right here with him.
Victoria: He will dump you the moment he sees what I have planned!
Sarah felt a sudden chill run down her spine at those sharp words.
She realized then that Victoria was planning something far worse than simple rude remarks.
Sarah: What did you do to David's legal estate papers, Victoria?
Victoria: That is none of your concern, you gold-digging little outsider!
Victoria raised her voice, trying to intimidate Sarah into stepping backward toward the stairs.
Sarah placed both hands over her stomach defensively as she took two cautious steps back.
Sarah: David needs to know what you are doing in his private study.
Victoria: Go ahead and tell him, because nobody will believe your word over mine!
Victoria stepped closer, crowding Sarah's space in an aggressive and threatening manner.
Victoria: You think you are so special carrying the next family heir!
Sarah: Please step back and leave me alone right now!
Just then, a sudden vibration hummed inside Sarah's pocket as her cell phone rang.
She quickly reached down to check the screen and saw David's name light up.
Victoria lunged forward and snatched the phone directly out of Sarah's hands with force.
Sarah: Give that back to me right now, Victoria!
Victoria: You do not get to call for help while I am speaking!
Victoria tossed the cell phone onto the carpeted floor away from Sarah's reach.
Sarah's heart pounded fast in her chest as she realized she was entirely trapped.
She knew she had to escape this hostile encounter before things got even worse.