By eight o'clock the next morning, the grand conference room downtown was filled with lawyers.
Victoria sat at the end of the long glass table with three high-priced defense attorneys.
Julian sat opposite her, calm and composed, alongside his father's original family attorney, Mr. Harrison.
Mr. Harrison placed a thick stack of certified documents onto the center of the table.
Mr. Harrison: We are here to read the valid last will of Arthur Vance.
Victoria's lead attorney cleared his throat loudly and raised a signed paper sheet.
Defense Attorney: We have a revised will signed by Mr. Vance two weeks ago.
Mr. Harrison: That revised document has already been flagged as a fraudulent submission.
Victoria snapped her head toward her lawyer, her voice rising sharply in panic.
Victoria: That document is completely legitimate and fully signed by my husband!
Julian leaned forward, staring directly into Victoria's anxious, wide eyes across the table.
Julian: We submitted the handwriting analysis to the state police department two hours ago.
The defense attorney looked down at his client, his professional expression turning instantly pale.
Defense Attorney: Is there something you did not disclose to our firm, Victoria?
Victoria: He is lying to intimidate us into giving up my rights!
Mr. Harrison: We also have witness statements from the medical staff at the clinic.
Julian produced the photo prints he had taken inside the study the previous night.
He laid the clear images of the draft notes directly in front of Victoria.
Julian: You attempted to transfer three major commercial properties into your personal shell company.
Victoria opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out of her mouth.
The conference room door swung open suddenly, interrupting the tense meeting completely.
Two plainclothes detectives stepped inside the room, showing their official police badges clearly.
Detective: Victoria Vance, you need to come with us for questioning regarding fraud.
Victoria gasped as she backed away from the table, looking frantically around the room.