Chapter 2 of 5

A Rich Mother Pushed a Child into the Pool

The Argument on the Patio

Mark sat down across from his brother Richard near the glass patio doors.

Richard was reading through a heavy stack of legal estate documents.

He did not look up when Sarah and Toby entered the shaded seating area.

Evelyn poured herself a glass of iced tea from a silver pitcher nearby.

She placed the glass down with a hard thud on the marble table.

She declared that the family inheritance should stay strictly within the original bloodline.

Mark stood up immediately and slammed his hand onto the table edge.

He told his mother that Toby was his legitimate legal son and rightful heir.

Mark: He carries my name and he deserves his full inheritance!

Evelyn: He is the son of a woman who came from nothing!

Sarah felt her face burn with anger, but she kept her voice calm.

Sarah: My background does not lessen the value of my son!

Evelyn: You married my son for his money and estate rights!

Sarah: I married Mark because I love him, not his bank account!

Richard finally looked up from his legal papers with a sharp sigh.

He pointed out that the trust fund terms were very clear and strict.

He noted that Mark had signed an agreement five years ago before the wedding.

Mark shook his head and insisted that the old prenup contract was completely invalid.

He explained that his late father had changed the primary will before dying.

Evelyn gasped loudly and set her glass down with trembling hands.

She accused Mark of lying to steal control of the family business.

Toby whimpered slightly at the loud voices bouncing off the stone walls.

Sarah took her son's hand and led him away from the loud table.

She told Mark she was taking Toby outside near the pool garden area.

She needed to get her innocent child away from the bitter legal fighting.

Mark nodded quickly and promised to wrap up the discussion in ten minutes.

Sarah walked out onto the sunlit patio deck with Toby beside her.

The warm air felt heavy with the scent of blooming jasmine flowers.

Toby pointed at the bright blue water of the large swimming pool.

He asked his mother if he could watch the small gold fish in the corner fountain.

Sarah smiled gently and told him to stay away from the slippery pool edge.

She sat down on a cushioned lounge chair nearby to keep watch.

Inside the house, the loud voices of Mark and Evelyn continued to echo.

Sarah closed her eyes for a moment, praying for this day to end soon.

She did not notice the tall shadow creeping quietly across the patio tiles.

Evelyn had walked out of the house with a dark look in her eyes.

She was stepping toward the young boy with silent fast steps.