The officers invited everyone to sit down in the formal living room for questioning.
Evelyn sat on the soft leather sofa while holding little Lily close in her lap.
Officer Davis opened a thick manila folder and placed several papers on the glass table.
Officer Davis: Three years ago, a massive life insurance and trust settlement was altered illegally.
Julian stared at the yellowing legal documents lying open on the shiny coffee table.
Julian: My late father left everything to my mother to manage for our family business.
Officer Miller: The original will shows that the estate was left to a child from his first marriage.
Evelyn gasped softly as she looked up at Margarethe's furious, pale face.
Margarethe sat stiffly in her armchair, her hands clasped tightly together in her lap.
Margarethe: My late husband was not in his right mind when he wrote that document.
Officer Davis: That was for a probate court to decide, ma'am, not for you to hide.
Julian pulled his hands through his dark hair as the devastating truth hit him.
He realized his whole life of luxury was built on a massive lie created by his mother.
Julian: You lied to me for years? You said we owned this house legally!
Margarethe: I did everything to protect our standing in high society, Julian!
Evelyn: You didn't protect anyone, Margarethe, you just wanted the power and wealth.
Margarethe glared at Evelyn with pure venom, but she had no words left to defend herself.
The police officer pulled out a pair of handcuffs from his utility belt with a metallic click.
Officer Davis: Margarethe Vance, you are under arrest for fraud and forging legal documents.
Julian slumped down in his chair, completely defeated and unable to look up.
He had spent years pleasing his mother, only to find out she was a criminal.
Evelyn felt no joy in seeing the older woman led away toward the front doors.
She only felt a profound sense of relief that the dark secrets were finally out.
The heavy front doors clicked shut as the police officers escorted Margarethe outside.