Three hours later, a private medical team had arrived at the mansion, carefully cleaning and bandaging Claire's injured knee while she sat comfortably on the living room sofa. Emma sat beside her, sipping a juice box while Arthur spoke with his private legal team in the kitchen.
Claire: Thank you, Dr. Stevens. The bandage feels much better now.
Dr. Stevens: Just keep it clean and elevated for forty-eight hours, Claire. The scrape is superficial, but the bruising on your leg will take a week or two to fully heal.
Claire: I will. Thank you so much for coming over on such short notice.
Arthur walked back into the living room, holding two signed legal folders in his hands. He sat down on the armchair across from Claire and set the folders on the glass coffee table.
Arthur: The district attorney just signed the temporary emergency protection order, Claire. Julian and Beatrice are barred from coming within one thousand yards of you, Emma, or this estate for the next five years.
Claire: What about the mortgage loans he forged under my name?
Arthur: City Central Bank has already voided the fraudulent contracts. They verified that the notary signature was forged, and all liens against this property have been officially removed from the county records.
Claire: Dad... I don't know how to thank you. If Emma hadn't made that phone call...
Arthur: You taught her well, Claire. You taught her to be brave and know who to call when danger showed up.
Arthur reached out, gently patting little Emma's head with a warm, proud smile.
Arthur: You were the bravest girl in the world today, Emma. You saved your mommy.
Emma: I remembered what you told me, Grandpa! You said if bad people ever try to hurt Mommy, I have to pick up the phone and press button number one!
Arthur: That's right, sweetheart. Speed dial number one goes straight to Grandpa's desk, no matter where I am in this city.
Claire: I was so scared, Dad. When Julian stood over me, I thought he was really going to take everything away from us.
Arthur: As long as I am breathing, nobody takes anything from my family, Claire. I built this estate for you and your mother thirty years ago, and it will belong to Emma long after I am gone.
Claire: What happens to Julian's investment firm now?
Arthur: The federal receivership board is seizing all his firm's assets tomorrow morning. Every cent he stole from you and his other victims will be liquidated and returned through court settlements.
Claire: I just want peace, Dad. I want Emma to grow up without fear in this house.
Arthur: Peace is exactly what you are going to have, my dear. Starting tomorrow, my private security staff will be stationed at the front gate twenty-four hours a day.