She pulled a smartphone from her pocket and pressed a speed dial number.
“Come in, please. Yes, right now.”
The front door opened, letting in a gust of cold night air along with a man. It was Mr. Watson, my grandmother’s personal attorney. He carried a thick briefcase.
“Mrs. Hansen, I’ve brought all the documents as instructed,” Attorney Watson said in a business-like tone, setting a heavy stack of papers down on the table.
“What is all this?” my father staggered back a step.
“George, Sandra, and Ashley,” my grandmother declared. “I will now go through every single fraudulent act you committed. One page at a time. Don’t think for a moment you can escape.”
I wiped away my tears and lifted my head. The warmth of my grandmother’s hand gave me strength.
That’s right. This wasn’t the time to cry, and I had a duty to make them face the consequences they deserved.
In the dead, silent room, my small laugh echoed. I stood up slowly, shedding the mask of the frightened victim I’d been wearing until now.
Pretending to wipe my tears with my napkin, I looked down at my family with cold, merciless eyes.
“That’s enough acting, Grandma.”
“Yes, indeed, Mandy. I’ve been thoroughly entertained,” my grandmother replied, stepping firmly to my side, her cane tapping the floor.
My father, mother, and Ashley were speechless at our sudden transformation.
“Huh, Mandy, why are you laughing?” my mother asked in a trembling voice.
“Don’t you see? You guys were being played?” I told her coldly. I continued without mercy.
“A week ago, Grandma contacted me. Not through you, but through my aunt. She said, ‘It seems the family has been intercepting my letters and deliberately isolating you.’ From that moment on, we knew everything.
And that’s why we set the stage for tonight, this so-called Thanksgiving dinner. We waited for the moment you’d let your guard down and confess your crimes with your own mouths.”
“What? We were set up.” My father went pale and tried to stand.
“Sit down.” One word from my grandmother pinned him to his chair.
“This isn’t over yet. In fact, it’s only just beginning. Mr. Watson, please.”
“Shall we start with the forged gift agreement? The handwriting analysis is complete.”