Richard: General Sterling, this is an absolute outrage! On what possible grounds are military police entering a private charity event to question me?!
General Sterling: On the grounds of high treason, grand embezzlement, and tampering with official military supply chains, Richard.
Victoria: Treason?! My husband served twenty years in the armed forces! He is a respected retired officer and a billionaire real estate developer!
General Sterling: He was also the chief procurement officer who signed off on the faulty, sub-standard pressure valves installed on the USS Guardian three weeks before the explosion.
The entire hall fell into a stunned silence. Maya’s head snapped toward Richard, her eyes flashing with sudden, intense anger.
Maya: What did you just say, General? The boiler explosion wasn't an accident caused by enemy fire?
General Sterling: No, Maya. The official naval investigation completed its classified report yesterday morning. Richard Sterling took a six-million-dollar bribe from a foreign manufacturing contractor to approve cheap, defective steel valves for naval destroyers.
Richard: That report is classified speculation! You have no hard evidence linking my private bank accounts to those suppliers!
General Sterling: We didn't until forty-eight hours ago, when your primary accountant turned state's evidence in exchange for immunity from federal prosecution.
Victoria: Richard... tell me this isn't true! Tell me you didn't take bribes that hurt military ships!
Richard: Shut your mouth, Victoria! Don't say another word without our legal team present!
Maya: Three of my young engineers lost their lives in that engine room, Richard! They were nineteen years old! They died because you wanted to pad your estate trust fund with kickback money!
Richard: It was just a business transaction, Maya! Ships have mechanical failures all the time!
Maya stepped directly up to Richard, her voice dropping to a cold, razor-sharp whisper that carried across the quiet room.
Maya: It wasn't a failure. It was murder for profit. And every single scar on my back belongs to you.
Officer Hayes: Richard Sterling, you are under arrest by order of the United States Navy Criminal Investigative Service. Place your hands behind your back.
The military police officers stepped forward, pulling Richard’s arms back and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists in front of all fifty corporate donors.
Victoria: No! Stop! You can't handcuff him in front of the press! Richard, do something!
Richard: Call our defense lawyer immediately, Victoria! Tell him to freeze the trust accounts before the federal government issues a seizure order!
General Sterling: Too late, Richard. Federal agents are seizing your mansions, your luxury yachts, and your real estate firm as we speak.