Isabella Winder, a 72-year-old retired legal investigation and evidence specialist from New York City, receives a certified package from an attorney, Matthew Atkinson. Surprised by this, she discovers she's the sole person to inherit a very large mansion, millions of dollars and an entire estate from her brother, Mathias Ponderling. The next day, she speaks with this attorney who explains all the details. For the past thirty years, and at Granite Falls, NY, Mathias Ponderling had employed Gain Merrick, as a house keeper and servant, who now schemes to take over all of Mathias's property and attempts to murder him. Gain plans and executes a way to inherit Mathias's property and mansion through a will, giving all of the property and mansion to him. However, three months later, and unknown to Gain, the will was altered by Mathias, and his attorney, that gives all property to his sister, Isabella Winder. In the attempt to execute his murderous plan, during a planned hike along the river's edge, Gain pushes Mathias off a 50-foot cliff into the raging and very dangerous Black Granite River. He thinks this will rid himself of his Mathias and inherit the entire estate. However, due to Mathias's willingness to survive and live, the murder plot fails due to Mathias's abilities to overcome the raging waters of the Black Granite River. After a treacherous and bone crushing experience of the river, Silas Blackthorne, a prospector, spotted Mathias in the river and pulls him out and saves his life. Mathias is dragged to Silas's cabin and gives aid. Over the next several days, Gain fights to cover up his crime, yet only succeeds in incriminating himself further through his lies. Mathias recovers, but does not make himself known, and that he survived the dangerous rapids of the river. Silas and Mathias form a plan to trap Gain in his failed plan of attempted murder. Isabella, arrives to assist in the evidence collection to bring Gain to justice. Gain and his accomplices are investigated and found guilty of attempted murder and are sentenced to 25 years in prison.Other attempts to take the life of Mathias Ponderling are discovered. They are also prosecuted and the perpetrators are tried and sentenced to prison.Mathias and Isabella establish a learning and conservation foundation to allow students the needed funds to study about land and wildlife conservation.
