Later that evening, Arthur called his family attorney to the house.
Mr. Vance arrived carrying a black leather briefcase full of files.
They sat down in the large library near the crackling fireplace.
Elena brought in hot coffee and tried to walk away quietly.
Arthur: Stay here, Elena, you deserve to hear this too.
Mr. Vance opened a thick folder and laid out several documents.
Mr. Vance: Clara had been contacting offshore banks for three weeks.
Mr. Vance: She tried to transfer money out of Leo's trust fund.
Arthur shook his head in anger and rubbed his tired forehead.
Arthur: How could someone be so heartless to an innocent child?
Mr. Vance: Fortunately, Elena's quick actions stopped the final wire transfer.
Mr. Vance pulled out another official paper with a gold seal.
Mr. Vance: Arthur, we also found Clara's former marriage records online.
Mr. Vance: She was still legally married to another man in Florida.
Arthur stared at the lawyer in complete and total shock now.
Arthur: That means our marriage in Texas was never legal at all!
Mr. Vance: Exactly, so she has no legal claim to your wealth.
Elena smiled softly as she held baby Leo in her arms.
Justice was finally coming to light after all the bitter deceit.
Arthur looked at Elena and his young son with deep gratitude.
Arthur: I want to change my official will starting tonight, Vance.
Mr. Vance: What changes would you like to make right now?
Arthur: I am naming Elena as Leo's official legal guardian if anything happens to me.
Elena gasped softly and pulled the baby closer to her chest.
Elena: Sir, that is too much, I am just the maid.
Arthur: You are family now, Elena, because you showed true love.
The lawyer nodded in agreement and began drafting the new contract.
Outside, the heavy rain turned into a soft, gentle night mist.
The Sterling home was finally safe from greedy outside threats tonight.