Eleanor let out a bitter, angry laugh that rang through the room.
Eleanor: That paper is ancient and totally meaningless!
Arthur looked at his wife with growing disappointment.
Arthur: You knew about this paper all along, didn't you?
Eleanor turned her back on him and walked toward the window.
Eleanor: I was trying to protect our family's public reputation.
Arthur: You were protecting your own control over the estate lawyer.
Clara stood quietly while the married couple argued.
She had never wanted to destroy anyone's peaceful life.
She only wanted recognition and a small connection to her history.
Clara: I do not want your money, Mr. Sterling.
Arthur shook his head gently and stepped closer to her.
Arthur: Call me Arthur, please.
He looked at her worn uniform and felt a sudden wave of shame.
His biological sister had been working as a servant in her own family home.
Eleanor turned back around with a fierce glare in her eyes.
Eleanor: If this news gets out, the foundation will cancel our mortgage grants.
Eleanor: We will lose our position in the high-society board!
Arthur: Truth is worth far more than our social standing.
The sound of heavy tires rolling over the gravel driveway echoed outside.
The first guests for the afternoon gala were arriving at the front entrance.
Eleanor panicked and tried to grab Clara's arm to pull her away.
Eleanor: Go out through the back kitchen door right now!
Arthur stepped between them and pushed Eleanor's hand away firmly.
Arthur: Do not lay a hand on her ever again.
The heavy oak front doors swung open from the outside.
Two wealthy donors in dark suits stepped into the grand hall.
They stopped in their tracks when they saw the emotional scene taking place.
Arthur turned toward the visitors with a calm and brave posture.
Arthur: Welcome to our home, gentlemen.
The guests looked confusedly at the maid with the vintage locket.
Eleanor tried to force a pleasant smile on her red face.
Eleanor: We were just having a small staff instruction meeting.
Arthur raised his hand to stop his wife's false explanation.
Arthur: No, we were welcoming my sister home.
The guests gasped softly in complete surprise at the announcement.
Clara wiped a single tear from her cheek with her thumb.
She looked at Arthur with deep gratitude in her eyes.
Eleanor stood frozen on the marble floor with total humiliation.
Her carefully constructed world of lies was falling apart completely.
Arthur motioned for the butler to step into the hall.
Arthur: Please take Clara's tray and prepare a guest room upstairs.
Butler: Right away, sir.
The old butler took the tray with a warm, respectful bow toward Clara.
Maya clapped her little hands together happily.
Maya: I have an auntie now!
Arthur smiled at his daughter and patted her hair softly.
He turned his attention back to his pale wife.
Arthur: We need to call our divorce lawyer tomorrow morning.