The morning sun poured through the high glass windows of the grand lakeside estate.
Elena adjusted her beige satin robe as she walked softly down the long second-floor corridor.
The house was silent, but an uncomfortable feeling hung heavy in the damp morning air.
She had returned to the family home to finalize the estate paperwork after months of disputes.
Her older stepsister Victoria had lived in the grand mansion alone since their father passed away.
Every conversation between the two women had turned into a bitter argument about money and property.
Elena stopped near the carved wooden balcony that overlooked the marble entryway far below.
She placed her cold fingers against the polished oak railing and looked at the lawn outside.
Elena: Victoria, are you awake yet?
Victoria: I have been wide awake for hours, sister.
Elena turned around quickly and saw Victoria standing near the shadows of the master doorway.
Victoria wore a deep maroon robe that rustled softly against the dark wooden floorboards.
Her face looked pale, and her eyes held a cold sharpness that made Elena step back.
Elena: We need to talk about the final court meeting with the probate lawyer tomorrow.
Victoria: There is nothing left for us to discuss about our father's wealth.
Elena: The lawyer said the business trust fund belongs to both of us equally.
Victoria: You never deserved a single penny from this entire estate!
Elena felt her chest tighten as Victoria slowly walked closer across the wide balcony hallway.
She knew Victoria felt cheated, but the court ruling had been clear and completely binding.
Elena: Father made his own decisions based on what was fair for our future.
Victoria: Father was tricked by you and your mother from the very beginning!
Elena took another step backward until her spine pressed firmly against the solid oak railing.
The drop down to the marble foyer floor was steep and filled her with sudden dread.
She could hear heavy footsteps running through the front courtyard outside the mansion entrance.
Marcus, the head of security, was arriving early to drop off the legal financial documents.
Elena: Marcus is coming inside right now with the updated inheritance files.
Victoria: He will not be able to save your share of the inheritance now.
Victoria lunged forward suddenly with her hands stretched straight toward Elena's trembling chest.
Elena tried to dodge to the side, but the edge of the smooth railing caught her waist.
Her slippered feet slid across the polished floor as Victoria leaned all her weight forward aggressively.
Elena: Victoria, please stop! You are going to hurt us both!
Victoria: You took my rightful life, and now you pay the price!
With a harsh gasp, Victoria slammed her hands hard against Elena's weak shoulder blades.
Elena lost her footing entirely and tipped straight backward over the carved wooden balcony wall.