The double mahogany doors of Julian's private study shut with a heavy sound that rattled the crystal display cases.
Julian walked behind his desk, opening a concealed wall safe and pulling out a thick manila folder.
Julian: Why did you do it, Victoria? Tell me before I let the authorities take you out of here.
Victoria: I didn't do anything! The camera showed I was on the balcony! That isn't a crime!
Julian: You stood and watched my four-year-old drown. You didn't yell for help. You didn't run down.
Victoria: I told you, I panicked! Why won't you believe your own wife over the hired help?
Maya: Because you knew what was in the trust fund, Mrs. Vance.
Victoria spun around toward Maya, her hand flying out in a vicious slap aimed straight at the girl's face.
Julian moved fast, catching Victoria’s wrist mid-air with an iron grip that forced her backward onto the sofa.
Julian: Put your hands on anyone else in this house and you won't wait for the police to take you away.
Victoria: She's eavesdropping on private family affairs! Fire her right now!
Julian: Maya, what are you talking about? What trust fund?
Maya: Yesterday afternoon, Mr. Vance, I was dusting the bookcases in the sitting room next door.
Julian: Go on.
Maya: Mrs. Vance was on speakerphone with an estate attorney. She thought the doors were locked.
Victoria: That was a private legal consultation regarding tax planning! That is completely confidential!
Maya: She asked the lawyer what would happen to the fifty-million-dollar inheritance trust from Toby's biological mother if Toby died before eighteen.
Julian felt the blood drain completely from his face as he stared at his wife.
Julian: You asked my estate lawyer about Toby’s mother's trust?
Victoria: That was routine financial planning! Every wealthy family reviews succession terms!
Julian: Our prenuptial agreement gives you two million dollars if we divorce, Victoria. Not a penny more.
Victoria: Which was an insult! I spent four years catering to you and playing mother to someone else's brat!
Julian: Toby is not a brat! He is a four-year-old child who loved you!
Victoria: He's an anchor around my neck! All your wealth, your mansions, your corporate shares—they're all locked in his name!
Maya: The lawyer told her that if Toby had no surviving biological parent or siblings, the surviving stepmother would become the sole legal trustee of the estate.
Julian: You calculated the payout. You let him fall into the water so you could inherit eighty percent of the estate assets.
Victoria: You don't have any proof of that! A phone conversation means nothing in a courtroom!
Julian: The footage from that balcony is all the proof the district attorney will ever need.
Victoria suddenly lunged toward the desk, trying to snatch Julian’s phone, but he shoved the folder against her chest.
Victoria: Julian, please! Think of our reputation! Think of the press! This will destroy Vance Global on Wall Street!
Julian: My son's life is worth more than every share in my company, Victoria.