The tension in the ballroom reached a boiling point as several guests began pulling out their own mobile devices to record the scene. Victoria backed away from the crowd, her gold dress swaying as her hands shook violently at her sides. She looked around the room for her personal security team, but the guards were standing near the doors, refusing to step in and defend an act of blatant physical assault.
Victoria: Someone turn off the main power breaker! Shut down this whole room!
Clara: TEXAS POLICE ARE ON THEIR WAY! CALL 911 RIGHT NOW!
Victoria: CALL 911 RIGHT NOW!
Clara: They already have the full video file sent directly to their precinct dispatch.
Victoria screamed in frustration, her voice cracking as she realized there was no escape from the consequences of her actions. Her panicked shout echoed off the high ceiling, sounding desperate and pitiful compared to her earlier commanding tone. She dropped her heavy purse onto the floor as her legs felt weak beneath her heavy gold dress. The guests moved back to give her space, not out of respect, but out of absolute repulsion.
Guest One: The police are already pulling into the driveway outside right now.
Guest Two: I can see the blue and red lights through the front windows.
Victoria: This is a simple private estate matter, the police have no right!
Clara: Felony assault and fraud are not private matters, Victoria.
Two uniformed Texas police officers strode purposefully through the front entrance, their heavy boots loud against the marble floor. They walked directly past the security guards and into the main ballroom, holding pair of steel handcuffs ready in their hands. The lead officer took one look at the giant projection screen playing the video loop and then looked down at Clara's bloody cheek scratch.
Officer One: Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for assault causing bodily injury.
Victoria: You cannot place me in handcuffs in front of my guests!
Officer Two: Turn around and place your hands behind your back immediately, ma'am.
Victoria: I have the best defense lawyers in the state on retainer!
The officers turned Victoria around and snapped the cold steel handcuffs around her wrists before she could resist any further. The crowd gathered in the ballroom remained completely silent as the wealthy woman was led away in shame, her expensive gold dress trailing along the floor. Clara watched as her stepmother was escorted out the front doors into the flashing lights of the waiting police cruiser.