Julian: Where is Sarah right now, Maria?
Maria: She's inside Mr. Richard's office, sir. He locked the door behind them.
Julian: He locked the door?
Maria: Yes, sir. He told the security guards outside not to let anyone in until she signed a paper.
Julian's jaw tightened as he marched down the long hallway toward the private estate office.
Two tall security guards in black tuxedos stood right outside the heavy mahogany door.
Security Guard: Good morning, Mr. Moreno. Your stepbrother requested privacy.
Julian: Get out of my way.
Security Guard: Sir, Mr. Richard specifically said—
Julian: I own this mansion, and I own this estate. Move before I fire both of you on the spot.
The guards immediately stepped aside, lowering their heads as Julian grabbed the brass door handle and turned it forcefully.
Inside the room, Richard was leaning over his glass desk, pointing a sharp finger at Sarah, who was sobbing softly while clutching a paper handkerchief.
Richard: Just sign the confession, Sarah! If you sign it, I won't call the police!
Sarah: I didn't steal anything, Mr. Richard! I swear on my daughter's life!
Richard: The watch was on my dresser, and you were the only maid who cleaned that room this morning!
Julian: That's enough, Richard!
Richard spun around, his face flushing red as Julian stepped into the office and slammed the door behind him.
Richard: Julian! What are you doing in here? This is estate management business!
Julian: You're harassing a member of my house staff at seven in the morning, Richard!
Richard: She stole my fifty-thousand-dollar diamond watch!
Sarah: Mr. Moreno, I didn't touch it! I was sweeping the hallway with Emma when Mr. Richard pulled me into this office!
Julian: I know you didn't take it, Sarah. Go back to the kitchen and check on your daughter. She's in the playroom.
Sarah: Thank you, Mr. Moreno... thank you so much.
Sarah wiped her face and hurried out of the office, closing the door behind her.
Richard folded his arms across his suit chest, glaring arrogantly at his stepbrother.
Richard: You're making a huge mistake, Julian. You always soft-heart these servants!
Julian: Where is the watch, Richard?
Richard: I told you, she stole it!
Julian: You wearing a three-thousand-dollar tailored suit, Richard, but your personal checking account is overdrawn by two hundred thousand dollars.
Richard: How do you know about my personal checking account?!
Julian: I own the bank, Richard. Did you really think I wouldn't notice the margin calls on your trading account?
Richard stepped back against his desk, his arrogant demeanor instantly cracking as sweat broke out across his forehead.
Richard: That has nothing to do with my missing watch!
Julian: You pawned the watch yesterday afternoon at the jewelry exchange downtown, didn't you?
Richard: You have no proof of that!
Julian: I have security camera footage from every store on the block, Richard. Do you want me to pull it up on my phone right now?
Richard remained silent, his jaw clenching in bitter frustration.
Julian: You tried to frame a poor widowed maid so you could collect the insurance payout on that watch.
Richard: I needed the cash, Julian! The board is threatening to remove me from the company if I don't settle my debts!
Julian: You are lower than I thought, Richard. But framing Sarah wasn't just about the watch, was it?
Richard: What are you talking about?
Julian: You wanted Sarah fired and evicted from the estate grounds because of who her late husband was.
Richard's eyes went wide with shock as he stared at Julian, realizing his deepest secret was about to be dragged out into the daylight.