The tiny speaker on the phone hummed softly before a clear voice echoed into the room.
Vince felt his throat tighten instantly as he recognized the calm tones of his departed wife.
Eleanor had recorded the message inside her hospital bedroom just days before her tragic sudden death.
She spoke slowly with great effort while distinct medical apparatus sounds echoed in the background sound.
Eleanor: Vince, if you are hearing this message, don't trust Bellum with our estate.
Vince froze in his chair while his eyes darted upward toward the standing legal advisor.
Attorney Bellum took one short step backward toward the exit archway of the wide corridor.
His face lost its calm composure for a brief second before he cleared his throat loudly.
Lawyer Bellum: Audio files can be easily generated using modern digital voice cloning technology today.
Lily: Grandpa, grandma hid this file on my tablet so nobody would erase it!
The recording continued to play as the voice on the small phone grew stronger and clearer.
Eleanor: He brought documents for me to sign when I was confused by medication.
Vince gripped the edge of the white marble table until his knuckles turned completely white.
He looked down at the document that was sitting right in front of his hands.
The contract transferred control of all family assets into an off-shore managed corporate trust account.
Bellum had assured him earlier that this transfer was standard legal procedure for estate planning.
Now the words on the paper appeared completely different to the wealthy Texas resident.
A stunning woman in a gold silk dress stepped out from the main hallway space.
Vince's stepdaughter Clara stared at the phone with an expression of pure sudden terror.
She clutched her glittering diamond necklace with both hands while stepping back toward the wall.
Vince Morana: Clara, did you know about this audio recording stored on Lily's device?
Clara: I have never heard that recording before in my entire life, Vince!
The old man lowered his head and stared directly into the eyes of his stepdaughter.
The silence in the grand mansion grew heavy while the recording played its final sentence.
Eleanor: Check the hidden folder inside our primary server box down in the study.
Vince stood up slowly from his seat while keeping his eyes fixed on the attorney.
The truth was starting to unravel inside the grand Dallas house line by line.