Clara confronted her mother with a firm and steady glance.
Mother: Move out of my way immediately, Evelyn.
Grandma: You are being completely irrational about this entire situation.
Mother: You have gone too far to protect your control over everything.
Clara gently guided Lily toward the top of the grand staircase.
Mother: Go down to the kitchen and stay with the housekeeper, honey.
Lily nodded tearfully and hurried down the shiny marble steps alone.
Clara turned her full attention back to her cold mother in the hall.
Mother: This whole fight over the estate has ruined your judgment.
Grandma: That money belongs to me and my husband's legacy!
Mother: The court awarded the family trust to Lily and me.
Grandma: You turned your father against me before he passed away!
Clara pushed open the bedroom door with a strong, determined motion.
The quiet room looked perfectly normal at first glance from the doorway.
The sunlight filtered brightly through the thin cream curtains onto the bed.
However, Clara noticed a strange disturbance near the oversized white pillows.
A thick bulk rested beneath the heavy sheets on the right side.
Clara felt her heart drop as she realized Lily told the truth.
She pulled her mobile phone out from her blazer pocket immediately.
Evelyn lunged forward to grab the phone out of Clara's hand.
Grandma: Put that phone away right now, Clara!
Clara stepped back quickly to avoid her mother's reach in time.
Mother: I am dialing emergency services and our family attorney.
Grandma: You will destroy this family name if you call police!
Mother: You endangered my life and scared my innocent child!
The fabric of the bedding rustled softly as something moved underneath.
A dark patterned python poked its head out from the cotton pillowcases.
The creature flicked its long dark tongue into the warm bedroom air.
Clara gasped in horror as she saw the size of the snake.
Evelyn backed away toward the open hallway with a pale face.
She realized her dangerous action had been completely exposed to everyone.
Mother: How could you bring something so dangerous into our home?
Grandma: I only wanted to scare you into signing the agreement!