Claire packed her small cloth bag inside her tiny servant bedroom quickly.
She put on her simple denim jacket and grabbed her old purse.
She knew she could not leave without finding more hard proof first.
The lawyer's name on the document was Mr. Thomas Harrison from Dallas.
He was a well known probate attorney with a office downtown.
Claire sneaked down the back hallway while the house was quiet.
She needed to check the small safe inside the master bedroom desk.
She knew Mrs. Vance kept all important property deeds inside that safe.
The heavy bedroom door was open just a few small inches wide.
Claire peeked inside and saw the large room was completely empty now.
She slipped into the master room and hurried toward the corner safe.
The metallic dial was black with shiny silver numbers painted on it.
Claire remembered watching Mrs. Vance open the safe last winter season.
She had memorized the four numbers while standing with a tray.
She turned the dial left to twenty and then right to four.
She turned it to fourteen and finally stopped on thirty two.
The heavy metal latch clicked open with a soft dull noise.
Claire pulled the thick metal door open with both of her hands.
Inside lay stack after stack of crisp cash and blue files.
She grabbed the dark blue folder marked with the word Estate.
Claire: Please let the real will be inside this folder.
She opened the file and saw the official court seal stamped deep.
It was the original last will and testament of Arthur Vance.
The document clearly stated that Claire was his only legitimate child.
It left the Dallas estate, the business, and all bank funds.
Mrs. Vance was only granted a small monthly living allowance amount.
Claire felt a sudden rush of relief wash over her warm face.
She was not just a helpless girl without any hope left.
She held the true power to change her future right now.
Suddenly the heavy bedroom door slammed shut with a loud bang.
Claire turned around fast and dropped the blue folder on top.
Mrs. Vance stood by the doorway with her arms crossed tight.
Beside her stood the tall head security guard from the front gate.
Mrs. Vance: I caught you stealing from my private bedroom safe, Claire.
Claire: This is my father's original will, and you hid it!
Mrs. Vance: Mark, take that stolen blue file from her hands immediately.
The security guard stepped forward into the middle of the room.
He looked at Claire's sad face and then looked at the file.
He paused for a second because he knew Claire was honest.
Mark: Is this really about a family will, Mrs. Vance?
Mrs. Vance: Do not question my orders, just grab the folder now!
Claire held the file tight against her chest with both arms.
She looked straight into the eyes of the big security guard.
Claire: Please help me get this paper to the legal authorities.
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