Richard: That's impossible! My father was a businessman. He would never bypass his own son to leave the entire company and estate to a seven-year-old child!
Sarah: He didn't bypass you because he disliked you, Richard. He did it because he knew you lacked a conscience. He knew that the moment he passed, you would try to sweep Leo under the rug and keep the entire inheritance for yourself.
Clara: Richard... is this true? Did your father meet with Sarah before he passed away in the hospital?
Richard: Of course not! She's making up stories to embarrass us in front of our guests!
Sarah: Am I? Ask your family attorney, Mr. Harrison. He's standing right by the bar, holding his briefcase.
Everyone in the hall turned their heads toward the back of the room. Mr. Harrison, an elderly man in a dark grey suit, slowly put down his drink and stepped forward, clutching a thick leather file.
Richard: Harrison, tell her she's out of her mind. Tell everyone that the estate belongs to me!
Mr. Harrison: I'm sorry, Richard. I tried to speak with you about this yesterday, but you refused to take my call because you were busy preparing for this announcement party.
Richard: Speak about what? What is in that file?
Mr. Harrison: Your father modified his living trust three days before he was admitted to the ICU. He was of sound mind, and the document was properly notarized by two independent witnesses.
Evelyn: What does the trust say, Mr. Harrison?
Mr. Harrison: The entire Vance estate, including the mansion, the real estate portfolio, and fifty-one percent of the voting shares in Vance Enterprises, has been placed into an irrevocable trust for Leo Vance.
A collective gasp echoed across the grand hall. Several guests pulled out their phones, while others leaned in closer, unable to believe what they were hearing.
Richard: That can't be valid! I am his father! I am supposed to be the trustee!
Mr. Harrison: The late Mr. Vance specifically named Sarah as the sole legal guardian and trustee of the estate until Leo reaches the age of twenty-five.
Richard: This is a joke! She's a maid! She doesn't know the first thing about running a multi-million-dollar corporation or managing a property portfolio!
Sarah: I don't need to know how to run a corporation to know how to protect my son from a man who only cares about money.
Leo: Mommy, does this mean we don't have to leave?
Sarah: It means nobody can ever force us apart again, baby.
Richard: I will contest this in court! I'll hire every legal team in the country and sue you until you don't have a dime left to your name!
Mr. Harrison: I wouldn't advise that, Richard. Your father added a strict no-contest clause. If you attempt to challenge the validity of the trust, your personal allowance from the firm will be instantly terminated, and you will be evicted from this mansion within thirty days.
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