The heavy oak doors of the private office closed with a firm click.
Arthur stood behind his wide mahogany desk, holding the thick paper envelope.
Victoria paced back and forth across the dark Persian rug with rapid steps.
Her face was flushed red, but her eyes held a desperate, calculating look.
Arthur: Explain to me why my corporate legal team sent documents to you directly.
Victoria: I asked them for a routine review of our joint marital assets!
Arthur: There are no joint marital assets that involve my son's trust fund, Victoria!
Arthur sliced open the paper seal with a sharp metal letter opener.
He pulled out a thick stack of legal documents printed on crisp white paper.
As his eyes scanned the first page, his expression turned from anger to deep shock.
The document was an application to alter the primary beneficiary of the Sterling estate.
It listed Victoria as the sole trustee in the event of Arthur's sudden incapacity.
More alarmingly, it sought to remove Leo's legal guardianship provisions entirely.
Arthur: You tried to change the legal terms of my family's estate trust behind my back?
Victoria: It was only a draft created for emergency protection purposes, Arthur!
Arthur: Protection for whom, Victoria? Certainly not for my young son!
Victoria: If something happens to you, I should manage the family money, not a trust!
Arthur: The trust was set up by Leo's mother to guarantee his whole future!
Victoria: His mother is gone, Arthur, and I am the woman living in this house now!
Arthur slammed his hand down on the hard mahogany desk with incredible force.
The sudden loud noise caused Victoria to jump backward toward the office door.
Arthur: You married me for access to my family's financial security network!
Victoria: That is a terrible lie! I loved you from the moment we met!
Arthur: Then why were you trying to transfer control of Leo's fund yesterday?
Victoria: Because you treat that boy like he owns everything in this entire house!
Arthur: He is my son, and he does own the rights to his family's legacy!
A soft knock echoed at the heavy study door before it slowly opened.
Elena stepped into the room holding a small black USB drive in her hand.
She kept her distance from Victoria while looking directly at Arthur.
Elena: Mr. Sterling, there is something else you need to see regarding the security cameras.
Victoria: Elena, leave this room right now before I have you fired instantly!
Arthur: You do not fire anyone in my home, Victoria! What is on that drive, Elena?
Elena: The footage from the hallway camera yesterday morning when you were in Chicago.
Victoria's face turned completely white as she stared at the small metal drive.
Her hands began to tremble violently as she backed away toward the bookshelf.
Arthur: Hand it to me, Elena, let us view it on my computer monitor right now.