Arthur: Move out of the way, Evelyn.
Evelyn: Arthur, please, just let me talk to you in private first.
Arthur: I said move!
Arthur shoved the side of the velvet sofa back with one hand. Dust particles danced in the sunlight as a thick yellow envelope came into clear view against the floorboards.
Chloe: That's it, Dad! That's the envelope she hid when the lawyers called yesterday!
Evelyn: Chloe is making things up, Arthur! She planted that there!
Chloe: Planted it? It has your personal wax seal on the back, Evelyn!
Arthur: Quiet, both of you.
Arthur reached down, his heavy ringed fingers grabbing the edge of the envelope. He tore open the top flap with a sharp, violent ripping sound.
Evelyn: Arthur, don't read that... it's private personal mail!
Arthur: Private? This has the official seal of the state probate court!
Chloe: Read paragraph three out loud, Dad. Let her hear it.
Arthur pulled out three thick pages of legal bond paper. His eyes scanned the black text, his brow furrowing deeper with every line.
Arthur: This is a codicil to my father's original trust fund.
Evelyn: Your father was confused during his final weeks, Arthur! He didn't know what he was signing!
Chloe: My grandfather was sharp until his very last day! You forced him to sign paperwork while he was in the hospital!
Arthur: "I hereby revoke all previously granted power of attorney assigned to Evelyn Sterling..."
Arthur's voice dropped into a low, dangerous register as he read the clause.
Evelyn: Arthur, listen to me... I did that to protect the family estate!
Arthur: You forged my father's signature on a property transfer deed while I was out of the country!
Chloe: She tried to transfer the entire lake house and the family trust into her personal holding company, Dad!
Evelyn: It wasn't just for me! It was to keep the estate safe from creditors!
Arthur: Creditors? What creditors, Evelyn? My company has zero debt!
Chloe: Tell him about the offshore accounts, Evelyn! Tell him where the two million dollars went!
Evelyn pushed herself up from the floor, her teal shirt rumpled, her face pale with sweat.
Evelyn: Chloe has been spying on my private bank statements!
Chloe: I didn't spy on anything! The estate accountant called the house this morning because your checks bounced!
Arthur: Bounced? A check from the main family account bounced?
Evelyn: It was a temporary processing delay at the central bank, Arthur!
Chloe: She emptied the primary trust account three days ago, Dad!
Arthur took a step forward, his jaw tight, his chest expanding as he stared down his wife.
Arthur: Is this true, Evelyn?
Evelyn: I moved the funds into a high-yield investment vehicle! I was going to surprise you with the returns!
Arthur: You moved family trust money without consulting me or the board of directors?
Chloe: She didn't invest it, Dad! She paid off her brother's gambling debts in Atlantic City!
Evelyn turned toward Chloe, her hand flying up in a sudden, sharp motion.
Evelyn: You insolent little brat!
Arthur grabbed Evelyn's wrist in mid-air, catching her arm before she could touch his daughter.
Arthur: Don't you ever lay a hand on my daughter in this house.
Evelyn: Arthur... you're hurting my wrist!
Arthur: You have five minutes to explain where that money went before I call the district attorney.
Evelyn: You wouldn't call the police on your own wife...
Arthur: Try me.