Sarah reached the top landing of the grand staircase and stood facing her angry sister.
The upper balcony offered a clear view of the entire marble foyer spread out far below.
Victoria folded her silk robe tightly around herself and stepped directly into Sarah's path.
Her face looked pale, but her sharp posture showed that she was ready for a fight.
Sarah: The lawyer confirmed that father never signed your revised version.
Victoria: That old lawyer does not know anything about our family business!
Sarah: He kept the original trust fund documents locked inside his private safe.
Victoria: You are making up stories because you want my luxury lifestyle!
Sarah unzipped her brown briefcase and pulled out a single folder of certified paperwork.
The crisp white papers held official court stamps that could not be faked or questioned.
She held the thick paper folder out so Victoria could see the red legal seals.
Sarah: This deed shows that the property title was split equally between us.
Victoria: He loved me more, and you know that is true!
Sarah: He loved both of us, but your greed destroyed everything!
Victoria lunged forward suddenly and snatched the white papers directly out of Sarah's hands.
She began ripping the official documents into small pieces and threw them into the air.
The paper scraps floated down toward the marble floor like a cold dusting of winter snow.
Sarah took a quick step backward, but her heel caught the smooth edge of the floor runner.
She stumbled slightly near the upper balcony railing while trying hard to keep her balance.
Victoria took another sudden step forward and shoved Sarah's shoulder with surprising force.
Victoria: You should have stayed far away from this house forever!
Sarah: Get away from me right now, Victoria!
Sarah felt her back press hard against the wooden railing overlooking the deep foyer.
Her heart raced wildly as she looked into the cold eyes of her older sister.
Victoria reached out again to grab Sarah's coat collar and pull her toward the edge.
The tension in the quiet mansion reached a dangerous peak as neither woman backed down.
Sarah screamed for help as her foot slipped near the steep edge of the stairs.
She gasped for air while struggling desperately to push Victoria's hands away from her.
At that exact moment, the heavy double front doors downstairs suddenly burst wide open.