Arthur: Maria, stay right here with my mother until the paramedics arrive.
Maria: Of course, sir. I won't leave her side.
Arthur stood up, his jaw set in a hard line as he looked down at his daughter.
Arthur: Lily, come with me to the study.
Lily: Daddy, did Victoria take the papers?
Arthur: We're about to find out, sweetie.
They walked quickly down the long hallway, passing portraits of four generations of the Sterling family.
Arthur pushed open the heavy mahogany doors of the library, stepping into the dim room.
The painting covering the wall safe hung crookedly, tilted to the side like it had been yanked in a hurry.
Arthur: Damn it.
Arthur rushed over to the wall, pushing the frame fully out of the way.
The heavy iron door of the safe was sitting wide open, its interior completely empty.
Lily: Daddy, look on the rug!
Lily pointed to a small, velvet-lined box resting near the edge of the large wooden desk.
Arthur stepped forward and grabbed it, snapping the brass latch open.
Inside was the original deed to the mansion and the family trust fund documents, stamped with blue official seals.
Arthur: She didn't get them. She must have dropped the box when she heard you coming down the hall, Lily.
Lily: I heard the safe click, Daddy! That's why I ran to get Grandma!
Arthur: You saved us, Lily. You saved everything your grandfather built for this family.
Arthur pulled his daughter into a tight embrace, resting his chin on her hair.
Lily: Why did Victoria want those papers, Daddy?
Arthur: Because she didn't love me, Lily. She wanted the estate, the trust fund, and the authority to sell this house out from under us.
Lily: Is she going to come back?
Arthur: Never. I'll make sure she pays for what she did to your grandmother today.
The loud, wailing sound of emergency sirens echoed down the long driveway outside the estate.
Arthur picked up the velvet box, closing the safe door securely before leading Lily back out into the bright foyer.
Two paramedics rushed through the open front doors carrying a stretcher and medical bags.
Paramedic: Where is the patient?
Arthur: Over here! She fell down the stairs, possible hip fracture!
The team got to work immediately, placing a neck brace on Eleanor as they gently stabilized her leg.
Eleanor: Arthur... don't let her get away with this.
Arthur: I won't, Mom. I'm calling my legal team right now, and the police are already on their way.
Paramedic: We're transporting her to St. Jude's Memorial. You can follow us in your car, sir.
Arthur: Thank you. We'll be right behind you.
As the stretcher was wheeled out into the bright daylight, Arthur pulled his phone from his pocket.
He dialed the direct line to the city police chief, his voice cold and steady.
Arthur: Chief Vance? This is Arthur Sterling. I need an arrest warrant issued immediately for Victoria Vance.
Chief Vance: Arthur? What happened? She's your fiancée!
Arthur: Not anymore. She just assaulted my mother, pushed her down a marble staircase, and attempted to steal the estate trust deeds.
Chief Vance: My God. Is your mother alright?
Arthur: She's on her way to the hospital right now. Send a unit to Victoria's apartment before she tries to leave town.
Chief Vance: We're on it, Arthur. She won't make it to the highway.