Julian: Turn that projector off right now!
Mia: No, Uncle Julian. Let them read every single line.
Clara: Julian, stop her! She's hacking into your personal network!
Julian: Mia, where did you get those papers? Who gave you access to my study?
Mia: Nobody gave me access. You left the safe unlocked when you went to pick up Clara's diamond necklace.
Clara scrambled to her feet, clutching her torn golden bodice against her chest.
Clara: It's a fake! Julian, you know that document was forged by her mother's relatives!
Guest Three: That isn't a forgery. That has Judge Thornton's official state seal right at the bottom.
Guest Four: Look at the date. That was signed three days before Richard died.
Julian stepped between Clara and the young girl, his jaw clenching tight.
Julian: Mia, you are twelve years old. You don't understand how legal trusts operate.
Mia: I understand that my dad left forty million dollars in a trust fund for my college and medical care.
Clara: Your father was sick! He didn't know what he was signing!
Mia: He was sick because you were switching his heart medication with blood thinners, Clara.
A synchronized gasp swept across the banquet hall.
Julian: Mia! Watch your mouth!
Mia: Look at page two on the wall, Uncle Julian. That isn't a will. That's a police report filed by dad's private nurse.
Clara took two steps toward Mia, her polished nails digging into her palms.
Clara: You little liar! I loved your father more than anyone in this town!
Mia: Then why did you wire five hundred thousand dollars to an offshore account in the Bahamas yesterday morning?
Julian: What offshore account? Clara, what is she talking about?
Clara: Don't listen to her! She's trying to tear us apart before the wedding!
Julian: Clara, answer my question. Did you move money out of the corporate account?
Clara: It was an investment! For our future home in Aspen!
Mia: The ticket in your purse says Paris, Clara. One-way. Departing at midnight tonight.
Clara's hand instinctively flew to the gold clutch bag sitting on the high-top table nearby.
Julian: Step away from that purse, Clara.
Clara: Julian, she's setting me up! You know how jealous she was of our engagement!
Mia: I'm not jealous of a woman who steals from a dead man.
Julian reached over and grabbed the gold clutch, unzipping it before Clara could pull it away.
Two folded airline tickets fluttered out and landed on the hardwood floor.
Julian: Paris. Seat 2A. In your maiden name.
Clara: I can explain that!
Julian: You told me you didn't even have a current passport!
Mia: She has three, Uncle Julian. And none of them have your last name on them.
Clara backed away toward the catering doors, her eyes darting between the security guards at the perimeter.
Clara: You think you won, Mia? You think you can run this company?
Mia: I don't need to run it. The board of directors is already standing right behind you.





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