Mark led Sophia inside the grand living room while keeping his eyes on Chad.
The massive marble fireplace looked cold despite the bright sunlight outside the window.
Mark: Where is the office safe that Dad used for important documents?
Sophia: It is behind the big oil painting in the library upstairs.
Eleanor stood near the doorway with her arms crossed over her maroon jacket.
Eleanor: You have no legal authority to open any safe in this house.
Mark: I am still a co-executor of my father's legal estate, Eleanor.
Chad shifted his weight nervously from one shoe to the other near the couch.
Mark noticed that Chad's bandaged arm moved without any real sign of pain.
Mark: How did you hurt your arm so badly, Chad?
Chad: I slipped on the wet garden steps earlier this morning.
Sophia: He hurt it while trying to break open Dad's desk drawer!
Chad's mouth snapped shut instantly as his forehead began to sweat heavily.
Mark walked up the wide oak staircase with Sophia right beside him.
Eleanor followed them closely up the steps with sharp footsteps echoing loud.
Eleanor: You are ruining your sister's future by making this senseless drama.
Mark: I am saving her future from people who claim to care.
They entered the quiet library where tall leather books covered every wall.
Mark pushed the large painting of the old river landscape to the side.
A heavy steel digital safe sat embedded deep within the dark brick wall.
Sophia handed the tiny silver key to Mark with trembling fingers.
Sophia: Dad said the key opens the hidden backup lock underneath.
Mark popped off the plastic cover below the digital keypad with his pocket knife.
He inserted the silver key and turned it smoothly to the left side.
A heavy mechanical click echoed clearly through the quiet library room.
Eleanor: Do not open that door or I call our divorce lawyer!
Mark: Your marriage ended when Dad passed away six months ago, Eleanor.