Within an hour, local police officers arrived at the mansion to review the messages.
Arthur provided the officers with complete records of the estate and the forged documents.
The threat was traced quickly to an offshore bank account managed by a fraud syndicate.
It turned out David was truly gone, and the extortion was a clever scam.
Clara sat on the soft velvet sofa in the living room, feeling immensely relieved.
Richard sat down next to her, placing his hand gently over hers.
Richard: We were almost torn apart by fear and terrible misunderstandings today.
Clara: I am so deeply sorry for not coming to you immediately, Richard.
Richard: We will fix the legal documents with Arthur properly tomorrow morning.
Clara: And we will protect Emma's future together as a united family.
Arthur packed his briefcase and walked toward the front door of the house.
Arthur: I will have the updated original paperwork ready for your signatures at nine.
Richard walked the lawyer to the door and looked back at his wife.
The dark shadows of distrust had finally cleared from the grand family mansion.
They had learned that honesty was the only true shield against external danger.