When Evelyn walked into the study an hour later, she saw the empty desk.
She noticed the drawer was wide open and the mahogany box was totally gone.
Her face grew pale and her hands began to shake with intense nervous panic.
Those legal papers were her only way to claim a share of the estate.
Without those official documents, she had no legal power inside the grand home.
She ran through every single room on the bottom floor like a wild storm.
She threw open cupboard doors and tossed silk pillows onto the hard floor.
Evelyn: Where could that foolish man have left those primary trust papers?
She searched the kitchen cabinets and checked behind the high living room couch.
Then she remembered seeing little Lily wandering near the private study earlier that morning.
Evelyn marched quickly into the bright living room where sunlight poured through windows.
Lily was sitting on the polished floor, quietly playing with her small wooden blocks.
Evelyn stepped over the colorful blocks and stood directly over the frightened child.
Evelyn: Did you take a dark wooden box from your father's desk?
Lily: I was just playing with my red blocks, Evelyn.
Evelyn: Do not lie to me, you little girl, tell me right now!
Lily pulled her small knees up toward her chest and began to tremble.
She had never seen Evelyn look so scary or speak with such anger before.
The sweet woman from the dinner table was completely gone in that moment.
Lily: I want my daddy to come home right now, please.
Evelyn: Your daddy is not here to save you from this trouble today!
Evelyn grabbed Lily by her small shoulders and pulled her upright very fast.
She marched the crying toddler into the center of the large sunny living room.
She backed the little girl against a tall wooden chair near the fireplace.
Lily felt trapped and frightened, tears spilling down her soft pink cheeks rapidly.
Evelyn: Tell me where you hid that box before I get really mad!
Lily: I don't know! I want my daddy!
Evelyn leaned in extremely close, her eyes wide with cold and dangerous greed.
She did not care that she was terrifying a helpless four year old child.
All she cared about was finding the inheritance paper before David returned home.
She grabbed Lily's tiny hands and pointed her finger down toward the ground.
Evelyn: You will stay right here until you give me that box!