The hallway was completely silent except for Clara's soft, rhythmic sobs.
Sarah checked Clara's arms and legs carefully for any cuts or bruises.
Aside from a tiny red scratch on her neck, Clara was unharmed.
Sarah stood up slowly, keeping her body directly between Victoria and Clara.
Sarah: Have you completely lost your mind, Victoria?
Victoria: I am simply taking back what belongs to this family.
Sarah: Those pearls were left to Clara in Arthur's official written will.
Victoria: Arthur was not in his right mind when he signed those papers.
Victoria slowly walked down the top three steps, holding the scissors by her side.
Victoria: You came from nothing and you will leave with nothing.
Sarah: I am calling the police right now.
Victoria laughed softly, a dry and bitter sound that chilled the air.
Victoria: Go ahead and call whoever you want, dear sister-in-law.
Victoria: The security cameras in this hallway are currently turned off for maintenance.
Victoria: It will be your word against mine regarding a simple household accident.
Sarah pulled her phone out from her jacket pocket quickly.
She pressed the screen button, but the display remained completely black.
Victoria had used a signal jammer inside the home office nearby.
Sarah: You planned this whole thing today, didn't you?
Victoria: I promised my brother I would keep our family empire intact.
Victoria: A child who isn't even blood has no claim to our fortune.
Sarah felt a sudden surge of protective anger flood through her veins.
Sarah: Clara is Arthur's legal daughter and you know it!
Victoria: The DNA test results come back tomorrow afternoon, Sarah.
Victoria: And I personally paid the lab director to ensure the right results.
Sarah gasped as the full scope of Victoria's evil plan became clear.
Victoria was trying to invalidate Clara's inheritance before the probate court meeting.
If Clara was proven not to be Arthur's heir, Victoria would control everything.
The family mansion, the trust accounts, and the manufacturing business would all be hers.
Clara: Mommy, I want to go home now.
Sarah: We are leaving right now, Clara, grab your coat.
Victoria: You aren't taking a single item from this estate with you.
Victoria stepped closer, blocking the main double doors leading outside.
Sarah: Get out of my way before I make you move.
Victoria: Or what, Sarah? You have no money for expensive legal battles.
Sarah noticed a loose pearl resting near her right foot on the marble.
She gently nudged it with her shoe toward the top step subtly.
Sarah: Justice has a funny way of catching up to arrogant people.
Victoria: Justice is written by the people who hold the bank accounts.
Sarah took Clara's hand firmly and prepared to push past her opponent.