Victoria walked confidently into the master suite with her lawyer behind her.
She froze in place when she saw Richard holding the black box.
Victoria: What are you doing with my private belongings, Richard?
Richard: You mean your evidence of bank fraud and conspiracy?
Victoria's lawyer stepped forward with a confident sneer on his face.
Lawyer: That box was opened illegally without a formal search warrant.
Lawyer: It cannot be used against my client in a courtroom.
Clara stepped forward calmly from behind the library doorframe.
Clara: What about the security cameras installed in every main room?
Victoria turned pale as she looked up at the corner ceiling.
Victoria: What security cameras? There were no cameras here!
Richard: My late wife installed hidden security monitors three years ago.
Richard: Every single angle of the staircase incident was recorded in high definition.
Richard: The footage shows you trying to push Lily near the steps.
Victoria staggered back against the wooden door frame in utter shock.
Victoria: That is impossible! You are lying to scare me!
Richard: I already sent the video file directly to the police department.
The loud sound of sirens echoed from the long driveway outside.
Two police cruisers pulled up near the grand front entrance doors.
Four armed officers stepped inside the main foyer with dark uniforms.
Police Officer: Richard Sterling, we received your emergency digital report.
Richard: The suspects are right here upstairs, Officer.
The police officers walked quickly up the grand marble staircase.
They placed metal handcuffs around Victoria's slender wrists immediately.
Victoria: Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?!
Police Officer: Victoria Hayes, you are under arrest for attempted child endangerment and fraud.
Her defense lawyer tried to back away toward the hallway door.
Police Officer: You are coming with us too for conspiracy, counselor.
Victoria screamed in anger as the officers led her downstairs.
Her expensive red dress dragged uselessly along the white steps.
The front double doors closed shut behind them with a loud click.
Silence returned to the grand mansion once again.