The officers immediately turned Richard around and placed silver handcuffs around his wrists. The sharp click of the metal locks sounded loud in the small room. Richard tried to argue, but the officers held his arms firmly and began walking him back down the long carpeted hallway toward the main lobby. News of the security footage had already spread through the ballroom like wildfire. When the heavy doors opened and Richard was led out in handcuffs, every guest stood in complete silence.
Victoria: Richard! What did you do?
Richard: Call the company lawyer, Victoria! Do not let them print this!
Arthur: It is already on record, Richard. The press will have the full report by nightfall.
Nora: You wanted public attention, Richard. Now you have it.
The wealthy Dallas businessmen who had been chatting with Richard earlier stepped back, shaking their heads in disgust. Pushing a young orphan girl on a marble floor to steal her inheritance money was an act so lower than anything they had ever seen. Nobody offered to help him. Nobody called his bail bondsman. Victoria sat down on a velvet bench near the wall, burying her face in her hands as her husband was escorted out the front glass doors into a waiting police cruiser.
Lily: Is he gone forever, Mommy?
Nora: He won't ever bother us again, sweetie.
Lily: My knee doesn't hurt as much now.
Nora: Let's get you some real ice from the kitchen.
Arthur stepped up beside Nora as the police car drove away under the bright Texas sky. He pulled a thick folder out of his briefcase and placed a smooth pen in Nora's hand. The legal battle that had dragged on for two long years was finally coming to an absolute end today. With Richard's criminal arrest captured on high-definition video, his legal standing to challenge David's estate was completely destroyed.
Arthur: Nora, this seals the estate permanently. The judge will dismiss his petitions tomorrow morning.
Nora: What about his shares in the family firm?
Arthur: The board will vote him off by noon due to the moral turpitude clause.
Nora: Good. The company should belong to people who actually care about honor.
Arthur: Lily's trust fund is safe forever. Nobody can touch it now.
Nora took a deep breath, feeling a massive weight lift off her shoulders for the first time since her husband's death. She looked down at her daughter, who was now smiling softly at a hotel staff member bringing her a bowl of fresh chocolate ice cream. The bright sun continued to shine through the high arched windows, casting warm light across the entire lobby.
Nora: Thank you, Arthur. For everything.
Arthur: You saved your daughter today, Nora. David would be so proud of you.
Nora: I just did what any mother would do.