Arthur signaled his head of private security, Marcus, who stepped forward from the doorway with two armed guards. The high-society guests began whispering nervously, edging away from the main dining table as the realization of a massive betrayal hit the room.
Arthur: Marcus, lock down the gates. Nobody leaves this estate until I get answers.
Marcus: Yes, Mr. Sterling. Securing the perimeter now.
Victoria: This is ridiculous! Arthur, you are embarrassing us in front of the board of directors!
Arthur: The board can wait. Elena, talk. Fast.
Elena: Three weeks ago, my brother was hired as a driver for your stepson, Julian. He overheard Julian talking about a life insurance policy and a forced buyout of your company stock.
Victoria: Lies! Total fabrications from a street family!
Elena: My brother disappeared four days ago, Mr. Sterling! His car was found empty near the Dallas river basin!
Arthur: What does your brother have to do with this earpiece?
Elena: Private investigators gave me this device to monitor Julian's signal! They told me Julian was planning to ruin your contract tonight by leaking confidential financial records to your rivals!
Victoria: She's insane, Arthur! She belongs in a mental institution!
Arthur: If my stepson is clean, why isn't he down here at dinner like he was requested to be?
Victoria: He was feeling unwell! He went upstairs to rest!
Arthur: Then let's all go pay him a visit.
Arthur turned away from the dining table and walked toward the grand curved staircase. Victoria hurried behind him, her heavy red dress rustling loudly, while Marcus and Elena followed closely behind. The hallway leading to the private study upstairs was dim, illuminated only by wall sconces casting long shadows against the oil paintings.
As they approached the double oak doors of the study, a faint, aggressive voice echoed from inside the room.
Julian: I don't care about the risk! Transmit the rest of the offshore account passwords now before he signs the merger!
Arthur froze right outside the door, his jaw tightening as he recognized his stepson's voice clearly through the wood.
Victoria: Julian... no...
Arthur: Be quiet, Victoria.
Julian: Once the heart medication is swapped tonight, the estate defaults to my mother, and I control the trust fund! Just send the final transfer code!
Arthur didn't knock. He kicked the heavy oak door open, sending it crashing against the interior wall with a deafening bang.
Julian spun around behind the massive mahogany desk, dropping a laptop onto the floor. A cell phone was pressed to his ear, his face turning pale as chalk as he saw Arthur, Marcus, and Elena standing in the doorway.
Arthur: What heart medication were you planning on swapping, Julian?
Julian: Arthur! I... I was just talking to a client! It's not what it sounds like!
Arthur: Pick up that laptop.
Julian: It's private company data, Arthur! You can't just barge in here!
Elena: Look under his desk! There's a briefcase!
Marcus stepped forward, ignoring Julian's protests as he reached down and pulled a steel briefcase from under the desk, snapping the latches open to reveal rows of pill bottles and legal documents stamped with Arthur's forged signature.
Arthur: You forged my name on a trust transfer?
Julian: Mom told me to do it! She said you were going to leave everything to charity!
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