David pulled his smartphone from his trench coat pocket and tapped the screen[cite: 1]. He held the glowing display out toward Victoria[cite: 1]. On the screen was a high-definition video timestamped from three days ago, taken from a hidden camera inside David's private office[cite: 1].
On the video, Victoria could be clearly seen using a small electronic decorder tool to pick the lock on David's wall safe[cite: 1]. She opened the steel door, pulled out a stack of blue folders, and used her phone to take photos of every single page before placing them back[cite: 1].
Victoria: Where... where did you get that video?[cite: 1]
David: I installed hidden security cameras in my study two months ago when I noticed financial discrepancies in our estate accounts, Victoria[cite: 1].
Victoria: That's... that's a privacy violation![cite: 1] You can't use private recordings against me![cite: 1]
David: You were photographing my late wife's estate trust documents, Victoria[cite: 1]. The trust documents that hold fifty million dollars in assets reserved exclusively for Lily when she turns eighteen[cite: 1].
Victoria took a sharp step back, her red velvet gown trailing on the marble floor[cite: 1]. Her hands began to shake as she clutched her wine glass tighter[cite: 1].
David: You weren't mistreating Lily just because you're a cruel person, Victoria[cite: 1]. You were trying to break her spirit so she would agree to sign over her trust fund rights to a legal guardian when she turned sixteen[cite: 1].
Victoria: That's absurd![cite: 1] I don't need her trust fund![cite: 1] My family has plenty of money![cite: 1]
David: Your family's firm went bankrupt six weeks ago, Victoria[cite: 1]. My private investigator gave me the full financial audit this morning while I was at the airport[cite: 1].
Victoria let out a sharp gasp, her glass slipping from her fingers and crashing onto the marble floor, shattering into a dozen pieces[cite: 1]. Red wine splashed across the white tile, looking like a dark stain under the bright light[cite: 1].
Victoria: You... you audited my family's firm?![cite: 1]
David: Your father lost forty million dollars in bad offshore investments in Nassau[cite: 1]. You agreed to marry me so you could use my daughter's trust fund to pay off your father's corporate debts[cite: 1].
Victoria: David, please![cite: 1] Listen to me![cite: 1] My father was desperate![cite: 1] The creditors were threatening to seize our family estate![cite: 1] I did what I had to do to save my family![cite: 1]
David: By abusing an eight-year-old orphan child?![cite: 1] By forcing her to scrub floors and wear rags in her own home?![cite: 1]
Victoria: I was going to give the money back once our New York expansion took off![cite: 1] I swear I was![cite: 1]
David: You are a sickening, greedy criminal, Victoria[cite: 1]. And you are going to pay for every single mark you left on my daughter[cite: 1].
David tapped his phone screen once more, bringing the device to his ear as he stepped toward the front entrance[cite: 1].
Victoria: Who are you calling?![cite: 1] David, don't do this![cite: 1] We can make a deal![cite: 1] I'll sign a full release waiver![cite: 1] I'll give up all claims to the engagement trust![cite: 1]
David: Detective Miller?[cite: 1] This is David Sterling[cite: 1]. I have the suspect inside my main foyer, along with the camera footage and the financial audit report[cite: 1].
Victoria: No![cite: 1] David, stop![cite: 1]
Distant police sirens began to wail through the quiet neighborhood outside, their red and blue lights flashing through the tall glass windows of the grand entrance[cite: 1].
Victoria thrashed against the edge of the velvet sofa, her face twisted in pure panic as heavy footsteps echoed outside the front porch[cite: 1].