Behind Vivian stood Arthur, the older lawyer for the estate.
Arthur held a thick black folder under his dark blue arm.
He looked away cold and silent without making eye contact.
Julian realized the deep betrayal ran further than he knew.
His late father had left the house to Elena and him.
The trust fund was meant to protect Elena if anything happened.
Vivian took another slow sip from her tall crystal wine glass.
Vivian: She is unfit to manage any family money, Julian.
Julian: She is a graduate with an honor degree in art.
Vivian: She is unstable and she ruined your father's legacy.
Elena: I did not sign those papers willingly, Julian.
Elena raised her shaking hand to point at the silent lawyer.
Elena: They locked me in the basement room for three months.
Elena: They took my phone and told me you died abroad.
Julian felt the blood rush loud in his ears at once.
His own stepmother had committed a terrible crime for power.
She wanted control of the family trust and the entire land.
They had forced his wife into hard labor to break her.
Vivian laughed a quiet light laugh that chilled the warm air.
Vivian: Nobody will believe a word from a simple maid.
Julian: She is not a maid, she is my wife.
Julian pulled his personal phone straight out of his jacket.
He dialed his direct personal banker without taking eyes off her.