Within two hours, Arthur had sent his personal driver to fetch the metal box from Hannah's old apartment.
They gathered around the large mahogany desk inside the sunlit study to examine the hidden contents.
Arthur used a small tool from his drawer to carefully pick the rusted metal lock open.
Inside lay several yellowed documents, handwritten letters, and an official legal document stamped in red.
Arthur picked up the top letter and recognized his late sister's neat cursive handwriting instantly.
As he read the words aloud, the dark truth of the past finally came into the light.
The letter explained that twenty years ago, young Margarethe had framed Rebecca for a major theft.
Margarethe had threatened to harm Rebecca if she did not leave the city immediately and forever.
She wanted Rebecca out of the way so her own branch of the family could take power.
Arthur: You forced my innocent teenage sister out into the cold world all alone!
Margarethe backed away toward the wall, her voice trembling with intense panic and defensive anger.
Margarethe: She was going to ruin everything for us, Arthur!
Margarethe: She was the favorite child and your father was going to leave her the main share!
Arthur picked up the official stamped legal document that lay beneath the old letters inside the box.
It was the original trust fund deed signed by Arthur's father before his sudden passing years ago.
The document clearly stated that one-third of the entire Vance family fortune belonged to Rebecca's heirs.
That meant Hannah was not a humble housemaid seeking work to survive another difficult month.
She was a rightful heir to millions of dollars in family assets, real estate, and company shares.
Hannah: My mother suffered in silence just to keep me safe from these horrible threats.
Arthur: She protected you, Hannah, but now it is my turn to protect you both.
Arthur immediately called his chief security team and family lawyers into the private study room.
He ordered them to escort Margarethe off the property grounds instantly and strip her of authority.