Nathan walked over to the grand kitchen island where Victoria was standing.
He snatched the phone cleanly out of her polished red fingers with speed.
Victoria glared at him with sharp eyes full of dangerous cold anger.
She crossed her arms tightly across the front of her white dress.
Nathan: Who were you calling just now on your phone?
Victoria: I was calling our trust fund lawyer to handle this intrusion!
Maid: She was calling the private security agency to erase us!
Nathan: Is that true Victoria? Did you lie about the baby?
Victoria: She is a gold digger looking for our family money!
Ellen stood up slowly while holding the small girl on her hip.
She pulled a folded white paper document out from her deep apron pocket.
The edges of the paper were worn and yellowed from long years.
She held the official document out toward Nathan with a steady hand.
Nathan took the paper and unfolded it carefully using both hands.
It was a certified birth certificate from a small county hospital nearby.
His own full legal name was clearly listed under the father box.
Below it was the official signature of a doctor who had retired.
Victoria tried to snatch the official document out of Nathan's clean grip.
Nathan moved his arm back quickly to keep the paper completely safe.
He read the date of birth listed on the crisp white paper.
It was four years ago during the exact month Ellen had disappeared.
Nathan remembered the huge financial settlement he paid out that summer long ago.
Victoria had told him the money was spent on an estate renovation project.
He realized now that the funds were used to buy Ellen's silence.
A cold wave of pure anger washed through Nathan's tight chest.
He looked at his wife as if seeing her for the first time.
The woman he shared a home with was a complete stranger now.
Nathan: You used our estate money to hide my own daughter?
Victoria: That child would have ruined our reputation in society!
Maid: I never wanted your money Nathan, I wanted her safe!
Victoria: You signed an agreement to stay away from this city!
Maid: You sent men to threaten my home last night Victoria!
The revelation dropped like a heavy stone into the tense penthouse room.
Nathan turned his dark gaze back to his wife with utter disbelief.
Victoria took a quick step back toward the open glass door terrace.
Her fake smile had completely vanished from her pale stressed face.
The child buried her face deeper into Ellen's black uniform collar.
Nathan took a deep breath as he made a clear firm decision.