Two hours later, the afternoon rain began to tap softly against the tall glass windows of the estate. Julian sat in his private study, stuffing folders and personal items into a leather duffel bag.
The front door opened, and Chloe walked in carrying a designer handbag, her face tight with worry.
Chloe: Julian! What is happening?! The news is saying you were fired from the board!
Julian: Mara set me up, Chloe! She found out about the legacy trust and the offshore accounts!
Chloe: What about our baby? What about the money you promised me for the new house in Malibu?
Julian: There is no money, Chloe! The bank froze my accounts an hour ago!
Chloe: Frozen?! What do you mean frozen?! I need ten thousand dollars for the private hospital deposit next week!
Julian: I don't have ten thousand dollars, Chloe! I don't even have ten dollars right now!
Chloe stepped back, looking at Julian with a sudden coldness in her eyes that mirrored Victoria's.
Chloe: You told me you owned thirty percent of Vance Group! You told me you were going to be the CEO!
Julian: I was! Until Mara stole everything from us!
Chloe: Mara didn't steal anything, Julian. You lied to me. You used me to try and claim that trust money!
Julian: Chloe, please... I love you! We can get through this together!
Chloe: Get through this? I'm not spending my life with a broke criminal facing federal embezzlement charges!
Chloe turned on her heel, pulling her designer coat tightly around herself as she marched toward the front entrance.
Julian: Chloe! Come back here! You're carrying my child!
Chloe: My lawyer will contact you for child support payments, Julian. Assuming you're not in prison!
The front door slammed shut, echoing loudly through the empty foyer. Julian stood alone in the dim hallway, holding his duffel bag as tears finally filled his eyes.
Outside the gates of the estate, two police squad cars pulled up, their red and blue lights flashing against the wet pavement. Two officers stepped out, marching up the stone steps toward the front door.
Knock! Knock! Knock!
Officer 1: Julian Vance? This is the State Police. We have a warrant for your arrest on charges of grand larceny, corporate wire fraud, and domestic assault.
Julian closed his eyes, dropping his duffel bag onto the marble floor. He slowly walked to the door and opened it, holding out his hands as the metal handcuffs clicked around his wrists.
Victoria: No! Leave my son alone! Take your hands off him!
Victoria ran out from the kitchen, crying hysterically as the officers led Julian down the front steps in the pouring rain.
Officer 1: Step back, ma'am, or you will be arrested for obstruction of justice.
Julian: Mother... help me! Call the lawyers!
Victoria: I'll fix this, Julian! I'll pay whatever it takes!
Officer 2: Watch your head, sir.
The officer placed Julian in the back seat of the police cruiser, shutting the door firmly as the car pulled away, its sirens wailing into the distance.
Victoria stood on the wet driveway, her expensive dress soaked through with rain, holding her face in her hands as she wept in absolute ruin.