Evelyn raised her hand in sudden fury, stepping toward Hannah as if she intended to slap the young maid across the face. But before her hand could move halfway, David stepped in front of Hannah and grabbed Evelyn's wrist tightly in mid-air. His grip was firm, his dark eyes burning with an intense anger that Evelyn had never seen in him before. The tension in the hallway reached a boiling point under the harsh sunlight. Evelyn gasped in outrage, pulling her arm back with force, her expensive gold bracelets clinking together loudly. She backed up against the hardwood floor, realizing that David was no longer going to follow her demands or listen to her dramatic accusations.
David: Do not touch her, Evelyn. If you put a hand on my sister, you will regret it.
Evelyn: Sister? You are calling this beggar your sister after five minutes of storytime?
David: She has more right to be in this house than you ever did!
Evelyn: We will see what the court says about that when my lawyers get involved!
Hannah: David, please... I don't want any fights or lawsuits. I can just take my things and leave.
Hannah reached down to pick up her spilled belongings from the floor, her hands trembling as she gathered her cheap lipsticks and tiny notebook. She felt embarrassed by the explosive fight happening over her head. All she had ever wanted was a peaceful life and enough money to clear her mother's remaining bills. But David quickly knelt down beside her on the oak floor, gently placing his hand over hers to stop her from packing up. He looked into her eyes with a warm, protective expression that made Hannah feel safe for the first time since she had walked into the mansion six months ago.
David: You are not going anywhere, Hannah. You are home now.
Hannah: But Mrs. Vance said she will call the police on me for theft...
David: She can call whoever she wants. She has no power in this house anymore.
Evelyn: Oh really, David? Have you forgotten who holds the primary deed to this estate?
David: I haven't forgotten anything, Evelyn. In fact, I remember the exact wording of my father's will.
Evelyn's face turned pale for a brief second before she tried to cover it up with a sharp laugh. She had spent the last two years convincing David that his father had left her in complete control of the mansion's ownership. She had hired expensive estate lawyers to keep the full paperwork buried in legal jargon, keeping David focused entirely on managing the company operations while she enjoyed the luxury lifestyle. But David was not stupid. He had been quietly working with the family's senior trust lawyer to review every clause of Arthur Vance's final estate agreement, waiting for the right moment to challenge Evelyn's control over their family home.
David: Father placed a special clause in his will regarding the ownership of this mansion.
Evelyn: That clause expired two years ago! My lawyer confirmed it!
David: It only expires if no biological child claims the primary inheritance within three years.
Evelyn: She has no legal proof! A photo is not a legal document!
David: Then we will do a DNA test today and call our family attorney immediately.