Victoria stumbled backward in total shock. She had believed Richard was completely subdued by the small doses of sedatives she had been slipping into his drinks over the past year. She had no idea that Richard had stopped drinking the tea she made him three days ago after noticing a bitter taste.
Richard held the syringe tightly in his hand, looking at the dark fluid inside with absolute disgust. He violently shoved Victoria away from him. She lost her balance on her high heels and crashed heavily onto the hard wooden floor right next to the dropped silver tray.
Victoria: AH!
The maids stood frozen near the framed state map, stunned by the sudden turn of events. Richard stood tall over Victoria as she lay on the floor, glaring down at her coldly under the bright daylight filling the foyer. His voice echoed through the high-ceilinged room with absolute power and authority.
Man: YOU'RE DONE HERE.
Victoria: Richard, please! Listen to me! I was only trying to help you! The doctor said—
Man: Shut your mouth, Victoria. I know everything. I caught you looking through my safe yesterday.
Richard pulled his cell phone from his pocket and pressed a speed dial number. Within seconds, his chief security officer answered. Richard ordered the estate security guards to secure all doors, call the police, and notify his head corporate lawyer immediately to revoke all access Victoria had to his accounts.
Victoria scrambled to her feet, her dark velvet dress wrinkled, her perfect hair messily falling over her face. She looked like a trapped animal, realizing that her elaborate scheme to steal the Vance estate, mortgage, and life insurance policies was completely destroyed in a single afternoon.
She tried to run toward the front doors, but two heavy-set security guards stepped inside, blocking her path completely. She was trapped inside the very house she had tried to steal.