“They’re trying to hide it! The lawyer mentioned falsifying documents to take your inheritance!”

Shock turned to resolve. “Thank you, Emma. I’ll handle this.”

I called David, my lawyer. When I explained, he responded immediately, “I’ll meet you there in twenty minutes. If they’re committing fraud, we need to act fast.”

Back at the party, conversations halted as David and I entered. Kara turned, masking her shock with a forced smile.

“Melissa! What are you doing back?”

David stepped forward. “I’m Melissa’s attorney. We need to speak with you and your lawyer immediately.”

Kara’s expression faltered. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“We know everything,” David said firmly. “And unless your lawyer confesses, I’ll call the authorities.”

A nervous-looking man stepped forward—the lawyer. He glanced at Kara, then at the watching crowd. Sweat beaded on his forehead.

After a tense pause, he admitted, “Mrs. Thompson asked me to… adjust some paperwork regarding her mother’s will.”

Gasps filled the backyard. Kara’s face turned pale.

“You idiot!” she snapped at him. “That business is mine! Melissa has no right to it!”

David remained calm. “Eleanor had every right to leave her property to whomever she chose. And she chose Melissa.”

“This isn’t over,” Kara seethed.

“You should stop talking,” David advised. “You’re already facing potential fraud charges.”

The fight drained from Kara as she slumped into a chair. Meanwhile, Emma squeezed my hand. “I knew Grandma wanted you to have it.”

Tears welled in my eyes as I squeezed back.

As I walked away from the party, I felt something shift. It wasn’t about the inheritance—it was knowing that Eleanor had believed in me. And at that moment, I could almost feel her beside me, guiding me forward.