Sarah pulled the document firm against Victoria's quick grab.
The heavy paper creaked under the pressure of their gripping fingers.
Sarah: This envelope has the official seal of the family estate on it.
Victoria: Let go of it right now, Sarah!
Sarah stood up straight and pulled the envelope out of reach.
She wiped the chalky dust off the front of the paper.
Bold dark lettering clearly displayed the words regarding the family inheritance and final will.
Sarah gasped as she recognized her late grandfather's hand-written signature.
Victoria took a quick step back with panic evident in her eyes.
Victoria: That document was meant to stay hidden away forever.
Sarah: Why would my grandfather hide his true will inside a vase stand?
Victoria: You have no legal right to open that seal!
Sarah ignored the sharp tone and broke the red wax seal with her thumb.
She pulled three crisp sheets of paper from the thick pocket.
The first page listed the full property lines of the Dallas mansion.
It also listed the primary bank account balances for the entire family trust fund.
Sarah read through the top paragraph twice to make sure she understood.
Sarah: He left the entire estate to me and my branch of the family.
Victoria: That paper is old and completely invalid under Texas law!
Sarah: It was signed and stamped by a certified estate lawyer three years ago.
Victoria clutched her luxury purse close to her side as her knuckles turned white.
She looked around the empty room to see if any guests had heard them.
Victoria: If you show that paper to anyone, you will destroy this entire family.
Sarah: You knew about this paper the whole time, didn't you?
Victoria turned her head away and refused to meet Sarah's gaze.
The silence in the grand hall grew heavy and uncomfortable.
Lily pulled gently on her mother's dress from down on the floor.
Lily: Is everything okay, Mommy?
Sarah: Everything is going to be fine, sweetie.
Sarah placed the folded papers carefully inside her jacket pocket.
She looked up at Victoria with a firm and steady expression.
Sarah: We are calling the family attorney right now.