Julian: Someone call security! Get this woman out of here right now!
Claire: Go ahead, Julian. Call them. Let's see who they actually listen to tonight.
Julian: You have no right to crash our engagement party!
Claire: Engagement party? Is that what you're calling this money-laundering circus?
Victoria: Shut up! Shut your mouth, Claire!
Victoria pulled herself up off the floor, using Julian's arm for support, her mascara running down her red-stained cheeks.
Victoria: She's insane, Julian! She's been stalking me for months because she wants my money!
Claire: Your money? That's funny, Victoria. Last time I checked, your bank accounts were frozen by the federal government this morning.
Julian: What are you talking about? Victoria's family owns the Ashford trust fund!
Claire: Victoria's family doesn't own a penny. Her real name is Brenda Miller, and she was my mother's live-in maid five years ago.
A wave of loud whispers broke out among the crowd of guests.
Guest 1: A maid? Did she say a maid?
Guest 2: Look at her face... she looks terrified.
Victoria: She's lying! Julian, don't listen to a word she says!
Julian: Claire, if this is some kind of sick joke because I broke up with you last year—
Claire: You didn't break up with me, Julian. You dumped me on the street the second Victoria promised you a seat on her father's board of directors.
Julian: I made a business decision!
Claire: You made a fraud decision. And now the bill is due.
The man in the navy overcoat stepped into the center of the ring, pulling a thick black leather folder from inside his coat.
Detective Vance: Evening, everyone. I'm Detective Vance with the Financial Crimes Division.
Julian: Detective? What is the meaning of this?
Detective Vance: Brenda Miller, also known as Victoria Ashford, you are under investigation for identity theft, grand larceny, and probate fraud.
Victoria: I am Victoria Ashford! My father was Lord Harrison Ashford!
Claire: Lord Harrison Ashford was my biological father, Brenda.
The room went dead silent again. Julian dropped the red rose onto the floor, staring at Claire in disbelief.
Julian: Your father? But... you lived in a tiny two-bedroom apartment!
Claire: Because five years ago, when my father was sick in the hospital, Brenda stole my mother's legal documents, forged a fake birth certificate, and claimed the inheritance before I even knew he had passed away.
Victoria: You can't prove any of that! The original records were burned in the house fire!
Claire: You thought they were burned, Brenda. But you forgot one little detail.
Claire reached into her purse and pulled out a small, velvet-lined wooden box.
Claire: My father didn't keep the master estate key in his safe. He left it with his personal attorney in London.