Victoria stared at the white envelope in Julian's hands as if it were a venomous snake.
Victoria: What is that? What did you do behind my back?
Julian: Open it and see for yourself.
Victoria: I am not touching anything until my personal lawyer arrives.
Julian: Suit yourself. I'll read the first paragraph for you.
He slid his thumb under the flap, ripping it open with a crisp tear that echoed through the high-ceilinged room.
Julian: 'Pursuant to clause twelve of the prenuptial agreement signed in October 2021...'
Victoria: That prenup is invalid! My attorney filed an amendment six months ago!
Julian: An amendment I never signed, Victoria. Your lawyer tried to slip it past my estate manager while I was in Chicago.
Victoria: He was acting within standard corporate procedure!
Julian: Standard procedure doesn't include altering trust beneficiary designations without the principal trustee's consent.
Clara shifted slightly on the sofa, her arms still tight around Maya, her eyes wide with shock.
Clara: Mr. Sterling... what is going to happen to us?
Julian: You are staying right where you are, Clara. Nobody is taking that baby from this house.
Victoria: She cannot live here! If she stays, I leave!
Julian: Then start packing your bags.
Victoria's jaw dropped. The arrogance in her face shattered into pure outrage.
Victoria: You are choosing a maid and her bastard child over your lawful wife?
Julian: I am choosing honor over a greedy stranger who married my bank account.
Victoria: How dare you! I gave up three years of my career for this marriage!
Julian: What career? Running up hundred-thousand-dollar tabs on my American Express black card?
Victoria: I entertained your business partners! I built your philanthropic reputation!
Julian: By taking kickbacks from private adoption agencies behind my back?
Victoria: It was an administrative placement fee! That couple in Denver has been waiting five years for a healthy child!
Clara: She's my daughter! How could you even think of doing that to me?
Victoria: Because you're a nobody, Clara! A servant living off our charity!
Julian took two long strides, placing himself directly in front of Victoria, towering over her.
Julian: Say one more word to her, and I won't even wait for the divorce court to freeze your access.
Victoria: You can't freeze my personal cards without twenty-four hours written notice.
Julian: Check your phone, Victoria.
She froze, her manicured fingers hesitating near her designer purse.
Julian: Go ahead. Look at your notifications.
With trembling hands, Victoria unzipped her bag and pulled out her gold iPhone.
The screen lit up with three red alert banners from Chase Private Client.
Victoria: No... no, this is impossible. You can't revoke primary cardholder privileges without a court order!
Julian: When corporate funds are used to facilitate unauthorized contracts, the fraud division acts immediately.
Victoria: Julian... you're making a massive mistake. Think about what the press will say!
Julian: Let them write whatever they want. They will write about a billionaire who evicted a thief.
Victoria: A thief? I am your wife!
Julian: Not for much longer.
The front door opened again, and the sound of measured footsteps echoed down the marble gallery.
A tall man in a dark charcoal suit walked in, carrying a leather briefcase, his expression stern and professional.
Julian: Right on time, Arthur.
Arthur: Good morning, Mr. Sterling. The preliminary injunction papers are finalized.
Victoria turned white as a sheet, backing away until the edge of the grand piano caught her hip.
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