The smell of roasted meat filled the grand dining room downstairs as night fell over the estate.
Margaret and Daniel sat at opposite ends of a long wooden table, eating in total silence.
Elena poured red wine into Margaret's glass while keeping her face completely calm and neutral.
Margaret: Has that ungrateful girl packed her things and left my property yet, Elena?
Elena: She is resting upstairs in her room for a few moments, ma'am.
Daniel: Make sure she leaves before nine o'clock, or I will call the security guard.
Elena: Yes, Mr. Daniel, I will inform her of your strict instructions right away.
Elena stepped quietly out of the dining room and gave a quick nod toward the dark hallway.
Clara slid past the heavy velvet curtains and slipped into Daniel's private office space.
The room smelled of old leather books and expensive cigars, making her feel instantly nervous.
She moved quickly behind the large mahogany desk and looked for the small hidden safe.
Clara: It must be behind this large oil painting on the wall, just like Elena said.
She moved the heavy painting aside, revealing a small black steel door set into the wall.
Her hands trembled as she reached into her pocket for the spare key Elena had slipped her.
The metal key turned smoothly in the lock, and the heavy door clicked open silently.
Inside the dark safe lay three thick folders stamped with red official legal seals.
Clara pulled out the files and scanned the pages under the dim light of her phone.
Clara: My signature on these transfer papers was forged by Daniel himself!
She saw a second document that listed a massive life insurance policy written in her name.
Her blood ran cold as she read the detailed terms of the insurance contract carefully.
Clara: They planned to take my father's money and then eliminate me completely!
Suddenly, the heavy wooden door of the office swung open with a sharp, loud creak.
Margaret stood in the doorway, her dark eyes narrowed with sudden, boiling anger.
Margaret: I knew I smelled a rat creeping around in my son's private office tonight!
Clara quickly pulled the thick files against her chest and backed against the wall.
Clara: Stay back, Margaret! I know everything about your sick plan now!
Margaret: You are far too foolish to understand how the real world operates, Clara.
Daniel appeared behind his mother, his face turning pale when he saw the open safe.
Daniel: Give those papers back to me right now, Clara, or you will regret this!
Clara: You forged my father's signature and tried to steal my entire family estate!
Margaret: Nobody will ever believe the word of a penniless, hysterical girl like you!