Chloe: "You can't just walk away from me, Arthur! We have a signed marriage contract! You owe me!"
Arthur: "I owe you nothing. Maria, call Dr. Stevens right now and tell him to come check Toby's lungs and fever."
Maria: "Right away, Mr. Vance."
Chloe: "If you divorce me, Arthur, I get fifty percent of the Dallas estate and half your investment portfolio! Check the prenuptial agreement we signed last year!"
Arthur wrapped a soft woolen blanket around Toby and handed him gently to Maria near the kitchen counter. Then he turned around, stepping close to Chloe until he was standing right in front of her. His voice dropped to a low, dangerous whisper.
Arthur: "You obviously didn't read section fourteen of that agreement, Chloe."
Chloe: "What are you talking about? My lawyer drafted it!"
Arthur: "Section fourteen clearly states that in the event of documented physical abuse, child endangerment, or felony cruelty against any family member, all financial claims, alimony, and asset distributions are completely null and void."
Chloe: "Abuse? That's ridiculous! A harness isn't abuse! Parents use them in airports all the time!"
Arthur: "Look at his body, Chloe! Look at Maria’s face! That is not parenting. That is assault."
Chloe: "Nobody will take a maid's word over mine in court! It's her word against mine!"
Arthur: "It's not just her word."
Arthur reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out his smartphone. He tapped the screen twice and held it up so Chloe could see the display. A high-definition video was playing—it showed the back garden from earlier that morning, perfectly recording Chloe tying Toby to the statue, mocking him, and slapping Maria across the cheek.
Chloe: "Where... where did you get that?"
Arthur: "I installed security cameras integrated with my phone three weeks ago after I noticed Toby was acting frightened around you. I watched the live feed from my private jet on the runway."
Chloe: "Arthur... please... I was just stressed! I didn't mean to lose my temper!"
Arthur: "You lied to me. You hurt my motherless child. And you struck an innocent woman in my home."
Chloe stood frozen, the color draining from her cheeks as she realized every single move she made had been recorded in crystal-clear digital definition.
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