Victoria: David gave you all his keys before he died? That is completely unacceptable and breaches our prenuptial agreement.
Arthur Vance: Sit down, Victoria. As David's designated personal executor, I report directly to the probate court, not your board.
Arthur pulled out a heavy oak chair at the head of the conference table and sat down deliberately.
Julian: Look Vance, we already liquidated the suburban house to cover the bank notes. There is no money left to squabble over.
Arthur Vance: Did you liquidate the safe deposit box at Michigan Avenue Trust, Julian?
Julian shifted uncomfortably in his leather chair and glanced quickly at his mother.
Julian: The bank told us that box was closed two years ago due to inactivity.
Arthur Vance: It was closed to you because David revoked your secondary signing authority thirty days before his surgery.
Maya watched Victoria's jaw tighten until a muscle twitched along her cheek.
Maya: Dad never mentioned a second box to me, Mr. Vance. What was inside it?
Arthur Vance: The truth about this entire family enterprise, my dear. And the real reason your father kept quiet.
Arthur placed a thick, sealed manila folder on the polished wood surface. The paper was stamped with red wax.
Victoria: That looks like an unverified draft. It holds no legal weight without my signature as surviving spouse.
Arthur Vance: This document was notarized, witnessed by two independent physicians, and entered into county custody six weeks ago.
Victoria: He had dementia! He wasn't competent to sign anything new!
Arthur Vance: Both doctors certified full mental clarity. In fact, Dr. Harrison recorded the entire signing on digital video.
Maya leaned forward, her voice trembling slightly.
Maya: Mr. Vance, why did Dad hide this from us at the house?
Arthur Vance: Because David knew that if Victoria found this document early, it would mysteriously vanish before reaching court.
Julian: This is ridiculous. I run operations here now. I control sixty percent of the shares under Mom's guardianship!
Arthur Vance: You believe you control sixty percent, young man. But you haven't read the original charter amendments.
Victoria stood up, slamming both palms down on the polished table with a sharp crack that echoed across the quiet boardroom.
Victoria: I am calling security right now. Arthur, leave this building before I have you disbarred for harassment.
Arthur Vance: Call them, Victoria. Let's see if building security obeys you once I read paragraph four of David's final deed.
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