Two hours later, Richard pulled his SUV back into the circular driveway of his white mansion.
Two local police patrol cruisers were already parked near the front entrance with their lights flashing quietly.
Victoria stood on the front porch wearing her coat, looking flustered as two police officers questioned her.
She put on a worried smile as soon as she saw Richard step out of his vehicle alone.
Victoria: Oh Richard, thank goodness you are back! These officers are asking ridiculous questions about a simple accident!
Richard: It was not an accident, Victoria, and you know that better than anyone else in this world.
Victoria: How can you say that to me after the terrible scare we all suffered this morning?
Richard walked up the marble steps and pulled out a secure tablet connected to his home security system.
He turned the screen around and held it up directly in front of Victoria's pale, trembling face.
The high-definition video played smoothly, showing her grabbing Maya's arm and pulling her back before the fall.
Victoria's face lost all color as she stared at the undeniable visual evidence displayed on the bright glass.
Victoria: Richard... please, let me explain! I was just trying to stop her from running!
Richard: You put your hands on my child because she wouldn't let you steal my legal estate papers!
Officer: Mrs. Vance, you have the right to remain silent under the law. Please place your hands behind your back.
Victoria: Richard! You cannot do this to me! I am your wife, we can fix this privately!
Richard: You are no longer my wife, Victoria, and my attorney has already filed for a full annulment.
The police officer clicked the metallic handcuffs onto Victoria's wrists behind her back with a sharp snap.
She started crying real tears of anger and fear as she was led down the stairs toward the cruiser.
Victoria: You will regret this, Richard! You cannot take away everything I worked for!
Richard: The only thing you worked for was greed, and today that greed cost you everything.
Richard watched silently as the police car drove down the tree-lined driveway and disappeared past the gates.
He walked inside his home, took a deep breath, and felt the heavy cloud of deceit finally lift away.