Carter held the folded document until his knuckles turned pale white.
The paper carried the official crest of the city legal department.
It was a signed authorization granting immediate transfer of the Vance estate assets.
Attached to the back was an urgent order for medical transfer and hasty cremation.
Carter: This signature was forged!
Lily: She forced your grandmother to stay in her room all weekend.
Lily pointed up toward the quiet upper hallway with a shaking hand.
Lily: Victoria took her phone away three days ago.
Carter: Where was the security team while this was happening?
Lily: Victoria fired everyone on Thursday afternoon.
Carter looked back down at his grandmother's fragile face.
Chloe opened her eyes slightly and let out a faint, painful breath.
Chloe: Don't... let her take the house, Carter.
Carter: Stay still, Grandmother, the ambulance is on its way.
A sudden sharp gasp echoed from the top balcony above them.
Victoria stood at the railing, her face pale as she stared down at the paper in Carter's hand.
Victoria: Ah!
She backed away from the railing, clutching her red dress tightly.
Carter: Victoria! Get down here right now!
Victoria: You have no right to question my authority in this house!
Before Carter could take a step toward the stairs, heavy boots knocked against the front entrance.
A tall man wearing a formal dark suit and black leather gloves stepped into the foyer.
He carried a metal clipboard and looked around the grand room with a somber look.
Crematorium Worker: We're here to collect Mrs. Vance.
Carter stood up slowly, his body stiff with mounting anger.
Carter: Who sent you here to this house?
Crematorium Worker: We received an urgent authorization signed by the family representative.
The worker held up his clipboard to show the matching signatures.
Carter: This woman is alive, and that document is fraudulent!
The worker looked past Carter toward the bottom of the stairs in complete surprise.
Crematorium Worker: Sir, we were told she passed away early this morning.
Carter: Look at her! She is breathings and needs medical help!
Lily quickly wrapped a soft blanket around Chloe's cold shoulders.
Lily: Please call the police right now!
Carter turned his furious gaze back up toward the upper balcony.
Victoria was moving quickly toward the back corridor to escape.
Carter: You are not getting away with this, Victoria!