By midnight, Margaret was resting comfortably in a private room on the fourth floor of the hospital. The IV lines were delivering fresh fluids, and her pale cheeks had regained a warm, healthy color.
Arthur sat in a chair by the bed, while Clara stood near the window, watching the city lights down below.
Arthur: Clara, please sit down. You've been on your feet for ten hours straight.
Clara: I'm just glad she's resting, Mr. Vance. It's a miracle she woke up when she did.
Arthur: It wasn't a miracle, Clara. It was your courage. Anyone else would have walked away when Evelyn offered them that bribe money.
Clara: Money doesn't mean anything if a human life is being lost, sir.
Arthur: Most people in this city would disagree with you. Especially the people in my social circle.
A knock sounded at the door, and a tall man in a dark grey suit stepped inside carrying a thick briefcase.
Arthur: Marcus, thanks for coming so late. Did you get the court order?
Marcus: Good evening, Arthur. Yes, the judge signed an emergency injunction freezing all estate accounts that Evelyn tried to access.
Arthur: What about the forged will she filed last week?
Marcus: Voided completely. The notary public she used confessed two hours ago. Evelyn paid him twenty thousand dollars to stamp the documents without checking Mrs. Vance's physical state.
Clara: So the notary was in on it too?
Marcus: He's currently in police custody along with Dr. Harrison, the private physician who signed the false death certificate.
Arthur: Dr. Harrison took a bribe too?! I trusted that man for ten years!
Marcus: Evelyn promised him a ten percent cut of the estate payout once the insurance claim cleared. They had this entire scheme planned out for six months.
Margaret stirred in the bed, opening her eyes slowly and looking over at the lawyer.
Margaret: Marcus... is that you?
Marcus: Good evening, Mrs. Vance. It is wonderful to see you awake and well.
Margaret: Did you... fix my estate trust?
Marcus: Everything is secure, ma'am. Evelyn has zero access to your money, your home, or your investments.
Margaret: Good. Now... write a new section in my primary will.
Arthur leaned closer to the bed, taking his mother's hand gently.
Arthur: Mom, you don't need to worry about the will right now. Just focus on getting better.
Margaret: No, Arthur. I want it done tonight while my mind is clear.
Marcus: I'm ready, Mrs. Vance. What changes would you like to make?
Margaret: I want ten percent of my estate trust set aside in a permanent college and housing fund for Clara and her family.
Clara gasped, taking a sharp step back from the bed in total disbelief.
Clara: Oh, no... Mrs. Vance, I can't accept that! That's millions of dollars!
Margaret: You saved my life when my own sister-in-law tried to bury me alive, dear. You deserve far more than a simple thank you.