Mark stood up carefully while keeping Lily protected behind his dark leather jacket.
The scattered ruby beads shimmered under the bright sunlight filling the spacious room.
Eleanor gripped the wooden handrail of the staircase with her fingers turning white.
Eleanor: That pendant was part of the original estate inventory decades ago.
Mark: That pendant was a personal gift from my late brother to Lily.
Lily: He told me it held a special key inside the silver casing.
Eleanor took a sudden step back as if those words had struck her.
Her cold expression cracked for a brief moment before she restored her mask.
Eleanor: Children say ridiculous things when they want attention from adults.
Mark: My brother never lied about the family trust fund or his promises.
Mark knelt down to gather the scattered shiny beads from the smooth floor.
Lily helped him pick up the small pieces while her hands still trembled.
Mark: Go upstairs to your bedroom right now and lock the door, Lily.
Lily: Please do not let her take the silver casing, Dad.
Mark: Nobody is taking anything else away from you ever again, sweetheart.
Lily ran quickly up the stairs while avoiding Eleanor's sharp, glare-filled eyes.
Mark turned back to face Eleanor with a calm but stern look.
Mark: I know why you wanted that necklace so badly today, Eleanor.
Eleanor: You know absolutely nothing about the legal standing of this home.
Mark: My brother discovered the hidden trust documents before he passed away.
Eleanor: Those documents were processed legally by my private attorney years ago.
Mark: We both know your attorney was hiding the second updated copy.
Eleanor folded her arms tightly across her chest while glaring down at him.
Eleanor: Leave this house immediately before I call the local authorities on you.
Mark: Go ahead and call them because the true story will finally come out.
Mark reached into his pocket and held up a small silver key piece.
The tiny key had fallen out from inside the broken ruby pendant casing.
Mark: This key opens the private safe hidden behind the study portrait.
Eleanor: You have no legal right to touch anything inside that study!
Mark: Watch me settle this family matter once and for all today.