The heavy grandfather clock downstairs ticked loudly through the tall marble halls of the silent mansion.
David carried baby Leo down the main curved staircase to the grand living room downstairs.
He needed to find the original house deeds and family trust documents inside his father's old desk.
Victoria's strange words about hidden legal documents made his mind race with deep suspicion and fear.
He placed Leo safely inside a portable baby bassinet right next to the soft leather couch.
The room felt huge and dark despite the afternoon sunlight streaming through the long velvet curtains.
David unlocked the dark mahogany desk drawer using the small silver key from his father's keychain.
Inside the drawer sat neat stacks of old financial papers, insurance policies, and legal letters.
He pulled out a thick envelope stamped with the official red seal of the family law firm.
His fingers trembled as he opened the yellow legal pages hidden deep inside the paper folder.
The document showed that Victoria had tried to modify the family trust fund two weeks ago.
She had filed a temporary legal petition claiming David was mentally unfit after losing his wife.
David felt a surge of red anger heat up his cheeks as he read the terrible lies.
David: She planned this entire trap while Clara was still in the hospital.
He held the paper tightly as footsteps echoed near the entrance of the study room.
Victoria stepped into the frame of the doorway holding a sleek leather briefcase in her hand.
Her eyes scanned the open desk drawer and the legal papers gripped inside David's tight hand.
Victoria: You were always far too curious for your own good, David.
David: You lied to the family lawyers about my mental health state!
Victoria: I stated plain facts about your severe emotional breakdown after Clara died.
David: I am grieving my wife, but I am fully capable of raising my child!
Victoria: A court will decide what is best for the heir to this massive estate.
David took two large steps toward her with his fist clenched firmly by his side.
Victoria did not flinch or back away as he approached her in the bright hallway.
She pointed her long finger toward the small baby sleeping soundly inside the comfortable bassinet.
Victoria: That child represents the legal key to the entire family business trust fund.
David: Leo is a human baby, not a financial asset for your greedy corporate control!
Victoria: To the board of directors, he is the sole remaining bloodline heir.
David: I am his father, and I hold full legal authority over his life.
Victoria: Not if the judge decides you are unstable and financially unfit to provide.
David swallowed hard as he realized how calculated her wicked scheme truly was for months.
She had hired expensive lawyers to build a false narrative behind his back during grief.
He looked down at his tiny infant son who stretched his little arms in sleep.
David: I will hire the best custody lawyer in this city to fight you.
Victoria: You do not have the liquid funds left to pay top court fees.
David: I will sell every asset I have before I let you touch Leo.
Victoria chuckled softly, a bitter cold sound that filled the tall open luxury room.
She stepped closer to the bassinet and reached out her hand toward the sleeping infant.
David immediately stepped between her and his son, blocking her path with his chest.
David: Do not get any closer to my son right now, Victoria.
Victoria: You cannot protect him from the harsh reality coming tomorrow morning, David.