Mark walked straight to his home office on the first floor.
He pulled out his phone and dialed his attorney, David Vance.
David had handled Mark's estate planning after his first wife passed away.
David: Hello Mark, what can I do for you today?
Mark: David, I need you to place a hold on Lily's trust account immediately.
David: Did something happen with the funds?
Mark: My wife was attempting to transfer the inheritance to an outside account.
David went silent on the other end of the phone line.
David: Bring whatever documents you found to my downtown office right now.
Mark wrapped the black folder in his coat and walked back to the stairs.
Sarah was sitting on the bottom step, her head in her hands.
Sarah: Mark, please, let us talk about this like two adults.
Mark: There is nothing left for us to talk about, Sarah.
Sarah: I will give every single penny back, I swear it!
Mark: You have not taken the money yet because Lily caught you in time.
Mark walked past her and went upstairs to check on his daughter.
He knocked gently on Lily's bedroom door.
Mark: It is me, Lily, you can open the door now.
The door unlocked and opened to show Lily holding her favorite stuffed bear.
Lily: Is Sarah going to go away?
Mark: Yes, sweetie, she is leaving our house today.
Lily: I heard her tell someone on the phone last week about the bank.
Mark knelt down so he was eye level with his brave daughter.
Mark: Why didn't you tell me sooner, Lily?
Lily: She told me you would be mad at me if I spoke up.
Mark felt a surge of protective rage deep in his heart.
Sarah had manipulated an innocent ten-year-old child to protect her crime.
Mark: You did the right thing today, Lily, and I am so proud of you.
He wrapped his arms around his daughter and held her tight.
Mark: Pack a bag, we are going to stay at your grandmas house tonight.
They walked downstairs together five minutes later with their suitcases.
Sarah was standing in the foyer, holding her car keys in her hand.
Sarah: Where are you taking her?
Mark: I am going to the police station first, then to my lawyer.
Sarah's eyes narrowed, her emotional sorrow suddenly vanishing into anger.
Sarah: You have no proof that I signed those transfer forms!
Mark: My lawyer will inspect every document in this folder, Sarah.