Julian reached behind the heavy frame of the painting and pulled it forward to expose a dark metal door.
The lockbox was built directly into the solid brick wall, hidden away from plain view for decades.
There was a small keyhole situated right in the center of the heavy reinforced iron front plate.
Julian lifted the key Sarah had found and inserted it smoothly into the narrow keyhole opening.
It fit perfectly without any resistance, turning with a loud metallic click that sounded across the quiet library.
Gwen covered her mouth with both hands, stepping back until her back pressed against a book cabinet.
Julian pulled the heavy iron door open, revealing a thick stack of legal documents tied with black ribbon.
On top of the papers sat a sealed envelope addressed directly to Julian in his father's unmistakable handwriting.
Julian reached inside with steady hands and pulled the thick stack of documents out of the dark wall safe.
He untied the ribbon and unfolded the top paper, reading the bold black letters printed across the top line.
It was a certified copy of his father's authentic final will, bearing the official stamp of the city court.
Julian's eyes scanned the pages quickly, reading the terms his father had set down before his passing.
The document clearly stated that the entire estate, money, and company belonged solely to Julian without any split.
It also contained a detailed clause warning Julian about Gwen and her family's historical business debts.
His father had investigated Gwen months before he died and discovered she was heavily in debt to offshore lenders.
She had planned to marry Julian, alter the trust documents, and clear her family's massive debts using his inheritance.
A letter attached to the back showed that Gwen had tried to buy fake court stamps to create a forged will.
Julian felt a wave of deep disappointment wash over him as he looked up from the official paper work.
"You never loved me," Julian said softly, looking Gwen dead in the eye with complete clarity.
"You were just waiting for the right moment to steal everything my family built over thirty years."
Gwen dropped her hands, her manipulative mask completely gone, replaced by a cold and bitter sneer.
"Your father was an arrogant old man who tried to ruin my life!" Gwen spat out angrily.
"I deserved that money more than you ever did! You don't even know how to run his company!"