Clara adjusted the warm blanket around her sleeping baby girl.
She could feel the cold draft blowing through the tall glass doors.
The Bennett family estate was famous for its grand architecture.
Yet to Clara it felt more like a dark prison house.
Julian stood up slowly from the cold marble foyer floor.
He held the velvet basket close to his chest with steady hands.
Julian: Evelyn, show me what you are holding right now.
Evelyn: It is official business regarding the family mortgage and estate.
Clara: You have been plotting against us since day one.
Evelyn: I am protecting this family from gold diggers.
Clara felt a wave of anger rise up in her chest.
She had worked two jobs to support Julian through law school.
She never asked for a single cent from the Bennett family trust.
Clara: I never wanted your money or your social status.
Victoria: Everyone wants the Bennett fortune, my dear.
Victoria began walking down the massive winding staircase slowly.
Her designer heels clicked sharply against every step.
She looked at Evelyn with a cold smile of satisfaction.
Victoria: Did the private laboratory finish the verification tests?
Evelyn: Yes, Aunt Victoria, the results just arrived today.
Julian: What laboratory are you talking about?
Julian took a fast step toward his cousin Evelyn.
Evelyn pulled the brown craft envelope back against her silk dress.
Evelyn: Put that attitude away, Julian.
Clara: Put that envelope away before you make things worse!
Clara moved quickly and stood directly in front of Evelyn.
Her voice echoed loudly off the high plaster ceiling.
Clara: You went behind our backs and stole my baby's DNA sample!
Evelyn: It was necessary to protect our family inheritance.
Clara reached out and snatched the envelope right from Evelyn's hand.
Evelyn gasped in shock as the paper torn slightly at the edge.
Evelyn: Give that back to me right now!
Clara: This involves my child so it belongs to me.
Victoria reached the bottom of the winding staircase with a glare.
She extended her thin hand toward Clara in a strict command.
Victoria: Hand that paper over to me this instant, girl.
Clara: No, Victoria, you do not control my life anymore.
Julian stepped right beside Clara to support her stance.
He placed a protective arm around Clara's shoulder.
Julian: We are reading this document together right now.
Victoria: You will regret disrespecting my authority in this house.
Clara slid her fingers inside the torn brown craft envelope.
She pulled out a thick document marked with bold letters.
The top line read DNA RESULTS - BENNETT TRUST in black ink.
Her eyes scanned the formal legal text very quickly.
Evelyn looked nervous for the first time all afternoon.
She backed away toward the tall foyer pillars near the wall.