The morning sun shone brightly through the large glass windows of the study room.
Evelyn sat behind her large mahogany desk while holding a warm cup of tea.
Maya sat comfortably in a soft velvet armchair, wearing clean and warm clothes.
She was eating a plate of fresh fruit and warm buttered pastries hungrily.
The family estate lawyer, Mr. Harrison, walked into the room carrying several old files.
He was a quiet man who had served the Vance family for over thirty years.
He looked at Maya with a gentle smile before placing the papers on the desk.
Mr. Harrison: Good morning, Evelyn, I reviewed the old legal records you requested.
Evelyn: What did you find regarding Sarah's original trust fund account, Thomas?
Mr. Harrison: I found evidence that Sarah tried to contact you six years ago.
Evelyn: What are you talking about? I never received any letters from her!
Mr. Harrison: She sent certified legal letters regarding her medical care expenses.
Evelyn: Who intercepted those letters before they reached my private desk?
Mr. Harrison: All incoming legal mail was redirected straight to Richard's personal office.
Evelyn set her teacup down so hard that dark tea spilled onto the mahogany wood.
Her face flushed with deep anger as the terrible truth became completely clear.
Richard had intentionally hidden Sarah's cries for help to keep control of the money.
If Sarah died without returning home, Richard would inherit half of the multi-million dollar trust.
He had allowed his own niece to suffer in poverty just to satisfy his greed.
Evelyn: He kept my daughter away from me while she was suffering and sick!
Mr. Harrison: He also signed papers claiming Sarah had signed away her legal inheritance rights.
Maya: My mom told me a mean man took all her papers away.
Evelyn: Did your mother mention Richard's name to you, Maya?
Maya: She said Uncle Richard told her never to come back to the mansion.
Mr. Harrison: That constitutes serious fraud and theft of a beneficiary's rightful estate funds.
Evelyn: Call the local police department and tell them to come here immediately.
Mr. Harrison: I will also prepare a full lawsuit to recover every single dollar taken.
Evelyn walked over to Maya and took the child's small hand in hers tenderly.
Evelyn: Nobody will ever hurt you or lie to us ever again, sweet child.
Maya: I am just happy to finally have a home with you, Grandma.