The ballroom cleared out quickly as guests shuffled toward the exits, whispering furiously about the scandal that would dominate the morning news headlines.
Detective Vance walked back over to Claire, handing her a blue leather document folder.
Detective Vance: The court has issued an emergency freeze on all accounts linked to Brenda Miller and Julian Vance. The court-appointed receiver will begin transferring the estate assets back into your mother's name tomorrow morning.
Claire: Thank you, Detective. I couldn't have done this without your team's hard work.
Detective Vance: Your mother is a brave woman, Miss Ashford. She gave us the missing piece of the puzzle when she handed over those medical records from five years ago.
Claire smiled softly, placing her hand over the velvet box in her purse.
Claire: How is she doing at the hospital today?
Detective Vance: She's doing well. The doctors say her breathing has improved significantly since we moved her to the private wing downtown.
Claire: Good. She's suffered enough for one lifetime.
An older man in a sharp gray suit approached Claire, holding a leather briefcase under his arm.
Mr. Sterling: Miss Ashford? I'm Arthur Sterling, your late father's chief legal counsel.
Claire: Mr. Sterling. I remember you from when I was a little girl.
Mr. Sterling: I am so deeply sorry for the ordeal you and your mother went through. When Brenda produced those forged papers four years ago, I had my doubts, but without the master key, my hands were tied by the court.
Claire: I don't blame you, Mr. Sterling. She was very good at lying.
Mr. Sterling: Well, her lying days are over. The Ashford estate, including the country home in Connecticut and the main townhouse in Manhattan, are officially yours once again.
Claire: What about the workers who were fired when she took over?
Mr. Sterling: Every single one of them will be offered their old positions back with full back-pay from the trust fund.
Claire took a deep breath, feeling a heavy weight lift off her shoulders for the first time in five years.
Claire: Make it happen, Mr. Sterling. Let's bring everyone back home.