The morning sun shone bright over the grand stone terrace of the Sterling family estate.
Evelyn Sterling stood near the sparkling edge of the blue swimming pool in her floor-length gold silk dress.
She held a set of heavy brass house keys tightly inside her right fist.
Her face looked cold and hard as she stared down at her young daughter-in-law.
Clara wore a simple green dress that blew softly in the morning breeze.
She stood near the edge of the water with tears welling in her blue eyes.
Evelyn: You do not belong in this family and you never will.
Clara: I love your son with all my heart, Evelyn.
Evelyn: You love his name and you love his massive inheritance.
Clara: That is simply not true and you know it.
Clara took one step backward toward the clear water of the pool.
She placed her trembling hand over her stomach to calm herself down.
Evelyn took a sharp step forward and raised her hand toward the young woman.
Evelyn: My husband built this real estate empire with his own sweat and blood.
Clara: Julian asked me to live here with him as his wife.
Evelyn: Julian is naive and he does not see your real plan.
Clara: I have no plan except to build a quiet life here.
Evelyn pointed her finger directly at Clara's face with cold anger.
The wind blew softly across the open marble patio near the pool doors.
A loyal house maid named Sarah watched the tense scene from behind the heavy glass doors.
Sarah held a tray of morning tea in her shaking hands.
She knew that Evelyn had been planning to kick Clara out for months.
Evelyn wanted her son to marry a wealthy woman from a famous family.
She hated that Clara came from a humble working class background.
Evelyn: Hand over your house key and sign these departure papers right now.
Clara: I will not sign anything without talking to my husband first.
Evelyn: Julian is in a morning board meeting across town right now.
Clara: He will be back home very soon, Evelyn.
Evelyn: He will back my decision because I control the family trust fund.
Clara turned her face away as a hot tear fell down her cheek.
She felt completely helpless against the powerful older woman in gold.
Evelyn reached out and grabbed Clara's arm to force the pen into her hand.
Clara pulled her arm back quickly to break away from the tight grip.
She lost her balance for a brief second on the wet marble tiles.
Sarah dropped her serving tray onto the ground with a loud metallic crash.