The massive American flag hung tall against the cream walls of the balcony balcony.
Eleanor stood near the wooden railing, holding the brown envelope over the edge.
Marcus: Mom, step away from that balcony railing right now!
Eleanor: This child will never see a single penny of our wealth!
Clara: Why do you hate our baby girl so much, Eleanor?
Eleanor: Because she ties my son to a woman I never approved of!
Marcus moved forward carefully, trying not to startle his agitated mother.
Marcus: You are losing your mind over money that is not even yours.
Eleanor: My late husband left this entire mansion under my strict management!
Marcus: He left it in trust for his grandchildren, and you know it!
Eleanor pulled a small silver lighter out from her jacket pocket suddenly.
Clara: Marcus, look out! She is going to burn the legal document!
Eleanor: Once this original agreement burns, the backup clause takes effect!
Marcus realized what his mother had been planning all along in secret.
The backup clause transferred full ownership of the estate directly to Eleanor's sister.
Marcus: You lied to the whole family about Dad's final wishes!
Eleanor: I did what was necessary to preserve our family's social standing!
She sparked the small lighter flame near the corner of the envelope.
Marcus sprinted across the balcony floor with maximum speed and force.
He lunged forward and snatched the burning envelope right out of her hands.
Eleanor stumbled backward against the wooden balustrade in utter shock.
Eleanor: Give that back to me right now, you ungrateful son!
Marcus: Never again will I let you manipulate my wife and child!
Two estate security guards rushed up the stairs toward the noisy balcony.
Guard: Sir, is everything alright up here on the second floor?
Marcus: Hold my mother right here until the police arrive on site!
Eleanor began screaming angrily as the two guards stepped between them firmly.
Eleanor: Unhand me this instant! I pay your monthly salaries!
Guard: We report directly to Mr. Marcus now under the trust terms.
Clara dropped to her knees near the railing, exhausted from the confrontation.
She reached out her trembling hand toward the sealed envelope Marcus held.
Clara: Open it, Marcus! Let us see what she tried to burn!