The morning sun was just beginning to rise over the stone gates of the Vance estate, painting the tall front pillars in soft shades of gold and pink.
Inside the grand library, Victoria sat behind the dark mahogany desk, pouring herself a glass of scotch while Julian paced back and forth across the Persian rug.
Julian: We need to leave for the airport now, Victoria! The server wipe won't buy us more than twelve hours!
Victoria: Relax, Julian. Without video evidence, it's her word against mine. The guests were all drunk on champagne.
Julian: What about Arthur?! He isn't stupid! He knows we forged the will updates!
Victoria: Arthur is a nobody! Once Clara loses that baby in the hospital, the court will dismiss his standing completely!
The heavy double doors of the library slammed open with a loud bang, bouncing off the wooden frames.
Clara: The baby is perfectly healthy, Victoria.
Victoria dropped her glass, the crystal shattering on the mahogany desk as dark scotch spilled across her legal papers.
Clara sat in a sleek black wheelchair pushed by Arthur, wearing a warm dark coat with a white bandage wrapped neatly around her forehead.
Victoria: You... how are you out of the hospital?!
Clara: Did you really think a fall down your marble stairs was enough to get rid of me?
Julian: Mrs. Vance... you shouldn't be on this property! This is private real estate!
Arthur: This property was officially transferred to Clara's sole ownership three minutes ago when the county clerk's office opened.
Victoria: That is impossible! I hold fifty percent of the title rights!
Arthur: You held fifty percent under the assumption that the original marriage contract was valid, Victoria.
Clara: Show her the bank records, Arthur.
Arthur pulled a thick blue folder from his coat, tossing it squarely onto the desk over the spilled scotch.
Arthur: You never legally divorced your first husband in Florida before marrying Clara's father, Victoria. You committed bigamy six years ago.
Victoria's face turned completely white, her jaw trembling as she stared down at the Florida court documents.
Victoria: Where... where did you get those...?
Arthur: My private investigators spent three weeks in Miami digging through your past records.
Julian: Victoria... is this true?! Were you still married?!
Victoria: Shut up, Julian!
Clara: That means your marriage to my father was legally void from the very first day. You have zero right to his estate, zero right to his trust fund, and zero right to set foot in this house.
Julian: I had no idea about this! I was just acting as her legal counsel for estate planning!
Arthur: Save it for the judge, Julian. You deleted federal evidence and notarized forged signatures on a void marriage deed.
Heavy footsteps echoed down the marble hallway outside, and Detective Ross entered the library accompanied by four armed state troopers.
Detective Ross: Victoria Vance and Julian Hayes. Stand up and place your hands behind your backs.