Downstairs, the front doorbell rang out loudly through the tall white hallway.
Mrs. Mitchell paused near the top of the stairs with a deep frown.
She did not expect any visitors or mail deliveries at this early hour.
She smoothed down her green silk pajamas and began walking down the stairs.
Before she reached the bottom step, the front door swung wide open.
A handsome man dressed in a dark tailored suit stepped into the foyer.
He carried a shiny leather briefcase and held a thick legal document high.
Right behind him stood a uniformed police paramedic with a red first-aid kit.
Mrs. Mitchell froze on the carpeted stairs and glared down at them.
Mrs. Mitchell: Who gave you permission to break into my private residence?
Attorney Carter: Mrs. Mitchell! Step away from her immediately!
Mrs. Mitchell: I am calling the police on both of you right now!
Attorney Carter: The police are already aware that I am here today.
The tall lawyer walked straight past the grand piano in the hallway.
A silver flag pin glinted proudly on the lapel of his black suit.
He marched right up the stairs toward the stunned older woman without stopping.
His black dress shoes made sharp clicking sounds on the polished oak wood.
Mrs. Mitchell backed up a few steps until her back hit the wall.
Mrs. Mitchell: You can't just barge into my house like this!
Attorney Carter: This house isn't yours. It belongs entirely to Ava.
Mrs. Mitchell: That is an absolute lie, and you know it!
Attorney Carter: I have the official court deed signed by a judge right here.
Mrs. Mitchell snatched the thick paper from his hands with pure rage.
Her eyes scanned the bold black text at the top of the document.
Her hands began to shake as she read the words written upon it.
The paper clearly stated that the house belonged to Ava's family trust.
It showed that her late husband had placed the property under a trust.
The stepmother had no legal rights to the building or the land.
Ava was the sole beneficiary of the entire multi-million dollar estate.
Mrs. Mitchell crumpled the corner of the legal paper in her hand.
Mrs. Mitchell: This document is fake! My husband loved only me!
Attorney Carter: He protected his real child from your greed before he died.
Mrs. Mitchell: I spent months taking care of him in this house!
Attorney Carter: You spent months spending his money and hiding his true will.
The attorney stepped closer to her and stared her down with authority.
Mrs. Mitchell felt a cold wave of fear wash over her whole body.
She realized her grand plan was falling apart right before her eyes.