Julian: Mom, why is my personal digital signature on this Cayman transfer authorization? You told me you took out a second mortgage on the warehouse!
Victoria: Put those papers down immediately, Julian! You do not understand how high-level corporate financing operates!
Julian: I know what my signature looks like! You forged my corporate authorization to wire twelve million dollars out of Dad's pension fund!
Maya gasped, pressing both hands against her mouth as she looked between Julian and the legal documents.
Maya: Twelve million dollars? Victoria, you told the probate judge there was only four thousand dollars left in his accounts!
Victoria: That was David's fault! He was going to cut Julian out entirely and give everything to you! I built this lifestyle for my son!
Arthur Vance: David never planned to disinherit Julian, Victoria. In his original nineteen ninety-five trust, Julian was granted forty percent of the voting shares upon turning thirty-five.
Julian dropped the papers onto the mahogany table, stumbling backward into his chair as if he had been punched in the chest.
Julian: Forty percent? You told me Dad laughed in your face and said I was never his real son.
Victoria: He was trying to tear us apart! Can't you see Arthur is lying to manipulate the board?
Arthur Vance: I do not need to manipulate anything. Here is David's sworn holographic deposition, recorded with the state probate commissioner.
Arthur put on his gold reading glasses and pulled a blue-bound folder from the center of the pile.
Arthur Vance: Paragraph seven: In the event of gross fiduciary fraud, embezzlement, or intentional asset hiding by my spouse Victoria, all marital trust allocations, spousal rights, and severance clauses are immediately null and void for cause.
Victoria: That clause cannot override state inheritance law! A surviving legal spouse is entitled to an elective third of the estate regardless of any private will!
Arthur Vance: The elective share does not apply when grand larceny, identity theft, and corporate embezzlement are proven in open court, Victoria.
Maya: What does that mean for the family business, Arthur? Does it go to auction?
Arthur Vance: Under the original foundation trust, one hundred percent of the voting equity transfers instantly to David's sole biological child.
Maya stood frozen in place, the room spinning around her as she processed the attorney's words.
Victoria: That is insane! She has spent the last three years flipping burgers and serving pancakes at a roadside diner!
Maya: I have a bachelor's degree in corporate finance from Northwestern University, Victoria. The only reason I was working at that diner was because you froze my college trust fund the week Dad got sick.
Julian: Mom... you told me Maya blew all her college money on lavish vacations with her friends in Miami.
Maya: I had forty dollars in my checking account when I left the house with one duffel bag, Julian. She called the police on me when I tried to pack Dad's old jacket.
Victoria stared at the table, her chest heaving as her face turned a bright, furious red.
Victoria: You are nothing without me! Neither of you could run this company for forty-eight hours!
Arthur Vance: Well, Victoria, you will not have to worry about the company's daily operations anymore.
Arthur glanced up at the boardroom clock, which read eleven-twenty-two.
Arthur Vance: Because forty-five minutes ago, the county district attorney's financial crimes unit received a complete certified copy of this binder.
A sudden, sharp knock banged against the heavy boardroom doors, making Julian jump out of his seat.
Julian: Who is at the door, Arthur? Did you call the police?
Arthur Vance: I did not have to call them, Julian. The state attorney general issued a warrant two hours ago.
Victoria gasped, backing away until her spine hit the thick pane of the boardroom window.
Victoria: You set me up. You planned this entire meeting as a trap.
Arthur Vance: David planned this trap, Victoria. I merely executed his final will.
The heavy doors parted slowly, revealing the grim faces of law enforcement officers standing in the outer reception room.
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