Arthur backed away toward the library doorway, his eyes darting quickly around the room.
The smooth confidence he usually wore was completely replaced by sheer panic and desperation now.
Arthur: Margarethe, listen to reason, you cannot trust the word of a random orphan child!
Margarethe: She is not a random child, she is my granddaughter and the truth is obvious!
Arthur: If you do not sign these papers today, the financial board will take legal action!
Margarethe: The board will do no such thing once they see what you have done here.
Margarethe raised her hand and gestured toward the far end of the wide hallway outside.
Two local police officers walked into the library accompanied by Margarethe's new legal team.
They had been waiting in the adjacent room listening to every single word spoken during the meeting.
Officer: Arthur Davis, you are under arrest for fraud, theft, and forging legal estate documents.
Arthur: You are making a huge mistake, I am a respected lawyer in this city!
Officer: We have a search warrant for your firm's office based on the evidence provided today.
The officers handcuffed Arthur and led him away down the grand marble hallway outside quietly.
Arthur shouted curses and complaints until the heavy front entrance doors slammed shut completely behind him.
The library fell into a deep and peaceful silence as the legal team packed up the fraudulent files.
Margarethe walked over to where little Lily was standing near the fireplace mantle slowly.
She dropped to her knees once again and took her granddaughter's small hands into her own.
Margarethe: I am so sorry I was too proud to look for your mother myself years ago.
Lily: Mom always hoped you two would meet again one day, Grandma.
Margarethe: We may have lost her, but I promise I will spend every day protecting you.
Lily: Does that mean I can stay here with you in this big beautiful house now?
Margarethe: This is your home now, sweet child, and everything I own belongs to you.
Margarethe pulled Lily into a soft embrace as the sun finally broke through the clouds outside.
The dark gray sky cleared up, filling the grand mansion ballroom with warm golden sunlight.
For the first time in twenty long years, the huge house felt truly full of warm life.
Margarethe smiled through her happy tears as she held her long lost granddaughter close to her heart.