David: Did you bring the final report from the probate court, Arthur?
Arthur: I have the full court certified documents right here in my briefcase, David.
Evelyn: Give those documents to me, Arthur! As the surviving spouse, I hold primary right of review!
Arthur: Actually, Evelyn, under Texas state probate law, primary right of review belongs to the designated executor named in the validated will.
Evelyn: And that executor is me!
Arthur: No, Evelyn. It isn't you.
Evelyn froze, her hand stopping inches away from Arthur's briefcase.
Evelyn: What are you talking about? My husband named me his sole executor in the draft we prepared at the hospital!
Arthur: That draft was never formally executed or signed in the presence of a licensed notary public, Evelyn.
David: Tell her what the probate judge ruled this morning, Arthur.
Arthur: The Dallas County Probate Court officially recognized the signed 2021 trust codicil executed by the late Richard Sterling.
Evelyn: That codicil was revoked!
Arthur: It was never revoked, Evelyn. Under the terms of the 2021 codicil, David Sterling is named sole executor of the estate, primary trustee, and ninety percent beneficiary of all real property, including this mansion.
Clara gasped softly, looking up at David in complete disbelief.
Clara: Ninety percent... Mr. David, you own the house?
David: I do, Clara. I've owned it since the moment the judge stamped those papers at nine o'clock this morning.
Evelyn: This is a conspiracy! You forged his signature! Richard loved me! He would never leave me with ten percent!
Arthur: The ten percent granted to you was contingent upon your cooperation with the estate's charitable directives and house management rules, Evelyn.
Evelyn: What directives?! What are you talking about?!
Arthur: Richard Sterling explicitly stated in Section Four that any attempt by you to misappropriate trust funds or mistreat estate employees would result in immediate forfeiture of your ten percent stipend.
Evelyn's breath hitched in her throat as she stared at the thick stack of legal papers spread across the white marble counter.
Evelyn: Mistreat employees? That's ridiculous! I run a tight household!
David: You forced a mother to work sixteen-hour shifts without break, denied her water, and threatened to withhold her wages while she carried a sick child on her back!
Evelyn: That is standard employee management!
Arthur: The court does not view physical exhaustion and wage theft as standard management, Evelyn. Especially when we presented the security footage from the kitchen sink camera.
Evelyn turned her eyes toward the ceiling corners, suddenly noticing the tiny black dome camera concealed near the framed American flag decor.
Evelyn: You... you recorded me in my own kitchen?!
David: I recorded the way you treated the people who keep this house running, Evelyn. And the judge was appalled by what he saw.