Two police officers walked quickly across the polished white marble entry floor.
Behind them was Mr. Vance, the family's trusted old estate lawyer.
He held a thick blue folder tightly under his right arm.
Mr. Vance: Victoria, we need you to drop those scissors right now.
Victoria slowly placed the sharp scissors onto a nearby side table.
Her hands were trembling as she looked at the official law officers.
Victoria: Mr. Vance, what is the meaning of this sudden intrusion?
Mr. Vance: The court has reviewed the original trust fund and will.
Mr. Vance pulled a set of stamped legal documents from his folder.
Mr. Vance: The amendment you submitted last month was declared fraudulent today.
Victoria: That is impossible, I signed that document legally!
Mr. Vance: The doctor confirmed the late owner was incapacitated that day.
Clara felt a warm wave of relief wash over her entire body.
She looked at the broken pearls still lying scattered on the floor.
They no longer represented her defeat, but the end of a lie.
Officer: Victoria Sterling, you are under arrest for estate fraud.
The officer stepped up the stairs and placed cuffs around her wrists.
Victoria gasped as the cold metal locked around her slender hands.
Victoria: You cannot treat me like a criminal in my own home!
Elena: It is not your home, and it never was, Victoria.
The officers guided Victoria slowly down the grand marble staircase now.
She glared at Clara and Elena with deep bitterness in her eyes.
Victoria: You will regret this day for the rest of your lives!
Clara: No, Victoria, today is the day we finally heal.
The officers escorted Victoria out through the heavy front mahogany doors.
The loud click of the door closing filled the quiet room completely.
Mr. Vance walked over to Clara and handed her a quiet smile.
Mr. Vance: Your father wanted you to have everything, Clara.
Clara: Thank you for helping my mother bring out the truth.
Mr. Vance: It was my duty to honor your father's true wishes.
The heavy weight that hung over the estate was finally lifted away.
Clara looked around the high ceilings and bright sunlight filling the room.
The house finally felt warm and welcoming once again for her.