Victoria marched into the room, her silver dress catching the light.
She glared at Clara with absolute hatred in her eyes.
Victoria: She has no legal right to carry family property!
Arthur: Put your phone down, Victoria, before you make a mistake.
Victoria: A mistake? She is wearing thousands of dollars around her neck!
Arthur: That necklace was gifted to her directly by your mother.
Victoria: That is impossible! Mother was confused near the end!
Arthur: Your mother was completely clear in her mind until the end.
Victoria stepped up to the desk and slammed her paper down.
Victoria: I have the legal papers signed by the family court lawyer!
Arthur: You have a temporary paper that expires at the end of this month.
Victoria: It gives me full ownership of this entire mansion!
Arthur: Only if no final will is presented to the judge.
Victoria stopped moving and her eyes narrowed in deep suspicion.
Victoria: What are you talking about? There is no other will!
Arthur reached out and held his hand toward Clara gently.
Arthur: Show her the base of the pendant, Clara.
Clara unclipped the vintage chain with trembling fingers.
She turned the black stone over in her palm careful and slow.
Arthur pressed a tiny hidden button on the silver metal rim.
A small metallic click sounded loudly in the quiet room.
The black stone slid back to reveal a tiny, carved key.
Victoria took a step back, her face turning pale once again.
Victoria: What is that? Where did that come from?
Arthur: This key opens bank box four hundred at the central vault.
Victoria: You are lying to me! You planned this together!
Arthur: The bank manager witnessed your mother sign the final documents.
Victoria looked at Clara with pure, burning jealousy.
Victoria: Why would she give the key to a hired maid?
Arthur: Because she knew you would search her room the moment she died.
Victoria shook her head violently, refusing to accept the truth.
Victoria: This is my house, and that money belongs to me!
Arthur: We will see what the judge says tomorrow morning at court.