Three days after Gwendolyn's arrest, the Vance estate was filled with forensic investigators and legal experts. Detective Harrison stood near the grand staircase, reviewing a stack of bank statements and computer search logs with Richard and his lead corporate attorney, David.
Detective Harrison: "Mr. Vance, our cyber-forensics team finished searching Gwendolyn's personal laptop and private cloud drive this morning."
Richard: "What did you find, Detective?"
Detective Harrison: "This was not a sudden act of passion or anger. She has been planning this for nearly three months."
David: "Her browser history contains extensive searches on balcony safety regulations, impact force on toddlers, and terminal velocity."
Richard felt a violent surge of anger rising in his chest, his hands clenching into tight fists at his sides.
Richard: "She calculated how to kill my two-year-old child?!"
Detective Harrison: "Yes, sir. She also forged your signature on a life insurance policy six weeks ago, taking out a five-million-dollar policy on little Maya."
David: "That constitutes attempted first-degree murder for financial gain, grand forgery, insurance fraud, and child abuse. She is facing a mandatory sentence of thirty years to life."
Richard: "I want her prosecuted to the absolute maximum extent of the law. No plea deals, no reduced charges."
Detective Harrison: "The district attorney completely agrees. With the 4K security footage and Clara's testimony, her defense team doesn't have a leg to stand on."
Clara walked into the foyer carrying a tray of fresh orange juice for Maya, who was happily playing with her blocks on a soft rug in the living room.
Clara: "Mr. Vance, Detective, can I offer you some refreshments?"
Richard: "Clara, please, sit down with us. David has some paperwork for you to look over."
Clara: "Paperwork for me?"
David pulled a thick leather folder from his briefcase and opened it on the marble table under the American flag.
David: "Ms. Clara, Mr. Vance has officially amended his family trust fund. You have been designated as a co-trustee and a permanent beneficiary of a two-million-dollar tax-free grant."
Clara gasped, dropping her notepad onto the table as her hands flew to her mouth in utter shock.
Clara: "Mr. Vance... no! I can't possibly accept that! That is far too much money!"
Richard: "Clara, you didn't hesitate for a single microsecond when you saw Maya falling. You dived onto stone to catch her, and you stood up to a violent woman to protect her. You earned every single penny, and far more."
David: "This guarantees your complete financial security, housing, and higher education if you ever choose to go back to school."
Tears of deep, overwhelming gratitude spilled over Clara's eyelashes as she looked at Richard.
Clara: "Thank you, Mr. Vance... Thank you so much. I will take care of Maya for as long as I live."
Richard: "I know you will, Clara. You are the truest friend this family has ever had."