Later that afternoon, the sun began to dip behind the city skyline.
Sarah sat inside a tiny coffee shop down the street from the office.
She was waiting for Arthur, her father's long-time personal lawyer.
Arthur had served the family for over twenty-five years before retiring.
The bell above the shop door chimed as an old man entered.
Arthur walked slowly, carrying a worn brown leather briefcase.
He spotted Sarah sitting in a quiet booth near the back corner.
He sat down across from her and offered a warm, sad smile.
Arthur: It is good to see you, Sarah, though I wish it were happier.
Sarah: Thank you for coming to meet me on such short notice.
Arthur: You sounded very upset on the phone this morning.
Sarah: Victoria is refusing to pay for Lily's essential physical therapy.
Arthur set his heavy briefcase down on the wooden table.
He let out a heavy sigh that showed his deep concern.
Arthur: That does not sound like your father's original intentions at all.
Sarah: She claims the trust fund does not have enough liquidity right now.
Arthur: That is impossible, Sarah. Your father set aside millions specifically for health care.
Sarah felt a cold wave of shock wash over her entire body.
She leaned across the small table, keeping her voice strictly hushed.
Sarah: She told me the accounts were running completely dry.
Arthur: Then someone has been moving money out without proper authorization.
Arthur opened his briefcase and pulled out a yellow paper folder.
He placed a copy of an old legal document onto the table.
Arthur: Your father updated his primary will just two weeks before he died.
Sarah: I thought Victoria had the only final copy of that document.
Arthur: She thought so too, but your father sent me an extra copy.
Sarah took the document with hands that would not stop shaking.
She scanned down the pages until she saw her father's signature.
Right beside it was a special clause marked in bright red ink.
Sarah: What does this clause mean, Arthur?
Arthur: It means Victoria is not the sole trustee of the estate.
Sarah: But she has been signing every legal check for six months!
Arthur: Because she hid the final codicil from the probate court system.
Sarah gasped as the horror of Victoria's scheme became clear.
Victoria had intentionally concealed the real legal will from everyone.
She wanted full control over the money so she could drain it.
Sarah: How could my own sister do something so evil to us?
Arthur: Greed can change a person into someone you no longer recognize.
Sarah: Can we use this document to stop her immediately?
Arthur: We need the original physical paper from her private home office safe.
Sarah looked out the window, her mind racing with newfound determination.
She was done being afraid of Victoria's harsh threats and cold stares.
She was going to get that original document, no matter what it took.