The lead agent, Officer Davis, stopped three feet away from Arthur and pulled out a pair of steel handcuffs. Arthur took a step back, hitting the side of the lectern and knocking over a crystal water pitcher, which shattered against the oak floor. The sound of breaking glass startled the crowd, causing several women to cry out in surprise. Arthur looked around the room, searching for a friendly face among his wealthy peers, but everyone looked at him with pure disgust and cold rejection.
Officer Davis: Arthur Harrison, you are under arrest for wire fraud and theft.
Arthur: This is a massive misunderstanding! Call my defense lawyer right now!
Officer Davis: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can be used against you.
Arthur: Clara, please! Tell them to stop! We can settle this privately!
Clara: You never gave my father a private settlement when he begged you.
Arthur reached out a hand toward Clara, but Officer Davis grabbed his wrist firmly and snapped the cold steel cuff around his right arm. Arthur pulled back frantically, his composure completely gone as he began sweating through his fine white shirt. Lily hid her face in Clara's neck, overwhelmed by the loud voices and the dramatic scene. Clara held her daughter tighter, feeling a deep sense of relief wash over her body for the first time in five long, painful years.
Arthur: I will pay you back every cent, Clara! I'll give you millions!
Clara: You can't buy your way out of justice anymore, Arthur.
Arthur: You ruined my life! You ruined my reputation in front of everyone!
Clara: You ruined your own life the day you decided to steal from a child.
The officers turned Arthur around and pulled his hands behind his back, securing the second handcuff with a loud metallic click. The guests took out their smart phones, filming the high-profile CEO being led away in chains through his own charity gala. The security camera above continued to blink its steady red light, recording every second of Arthur's humiliation for the official police record. Marcus stepped next to Clara, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder as they watched the officers push Arthur through the grand exit doors.
Marcus: It is finally over, Clara. The judge signed the emergency asset freeze an hour ago.
Clara: Does this mean... the apartment foreclosure is stopped?
Marcus: The apartment is the least of your concerns now. You own this building.
Clara: I can't believe we actually did it, Marcus.
Marcus: Your father would be so proud of how strong you stayed for Lily.
Clara wiped a warm tear from her face, smiling through her exhaustion. The heavy weight that had sat on her chest for half a decade finally lifted, allowing her to breathe deeply. She looked down at Lily, who was looking up at her with big, curious brown eyes. The soft classical music had stopped, replaced by the excited chatter of the remaining guests, who were already reading news alerts about the sudden arrest on their phones.