Veronica: This says the voting rights were transferred to a holding company in Delaware yesterday.
Julian: Exactly. A holding company owned entirely by your sister, Claire.
Veronica: If Claire is alive, why hasn't she called me? Why hasn't she come to see her son?
Julian: Because she doesn't remember who you are, Veronica.
Veronica stopped turning the pages, her hand dropping to her side as she stared into Julian's cold eyes.
Veronica: What do you mean she doesn't remember?
Julian: The brain trauma from the crash was severe. She woke up knowing how to write her name, but she has complete amnesia regarding her family.
Veronica: And you kept her in a hotel room instead of bringing her to a hospital here?
Julian: The doctor in Geneva advised against sudden exposure to her past environment until her neurological state stabilized.
Veronica: You are using her illness to keep control of the company!
Julian: I haven't taken a single dollar from that trust, Veronica! Every cent went to her medical bills and specialized security team!
Veronica: Then take me to her. Right now.
Julian: No. She is confused, tired, and easily overwhelmed. The doctors said no visitors until Monday.
Veronica: She is my sister! You don't get to decide when I see my own blood!
Julian stepped forward, leaning in close until his face was inches from hers.
Julian: I am her legal guardian and her husband. I make every single decision regarding her care.
Veronica: I will go to the press, Julian. I will tell the reporters that the great CEO Julian Vance hid his wife for five years to fake a tragic backstory!
Julian: Do that, and the board will freeze all her assets within twenty-four hours.
Veronica gritted her teeth, her red cheek throbbing under the harsh hallway lights.
Veronica: You slapped me in front of your son. You pulled me across the floor like trash.
Julian: You put your hands on me while I was holding a crying child. You crossed a line, Veronica.
Veronica: I crossed a line because I knew you were keeping something dark in this house!
From the nursery hall, the door opened slightly, and Martha stepped back out with a worried look on her face.
Martha: Mr. Vance... Toby won't stop crying. He keeps asking for his mother.
Julian: Tell him I will be right there, Martha.
Martha: He isn't asking for Mrs. Vance, sir. He's asking for the lady in the photograph on your desk.
Julian’s posture went completely stiff, his eyes darting toward the study door at the end of the hall.
Veronica: What photograph, Martha?
Martha: The picture Mr. Vance brought back from his trip last night... the one with the young woman at the airport.
Veronica: You told me she was in room 402 at the downtown hotel!
Julian: Martha, go back inside the nursery and lock the door!
Veronica didn't wait for Julian to answer. She sprinted past him, her heels clicking fast on the marble as she headed straight for the private study.
Julian: Veronica! Stay out of my office!