Officer Davis and his partner escorted Evelyn down the stairs in double-locked handcuffs[cite: 1]. Evelyn’s face was pale, but her eyes were cold and full of hatred as she stepped into the study[cite: 1].
When she saw Clara standing beside Richard, holding Maya in her arms, Evelyn let out a cruel, bitter laugh[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Well, well. Look at the happy little family gathering.
Richard: You tried to lock your own twin sister in a vault and steal her life?!
Evelyn: Steal her life?! This life was supposed to be MINE, Richard! I met you first at that charity gala in Chicago eight years ago!
Clara: You didn't meet him first, Evelyn! You stole my invitation card and tried to pose as me back then, too!
Evelyn: Shut up, Clara! You always got everything! The inheritance, the luxury estate, the wealthy husband! While I lived in a tiny two-bedroom apartment paying off mountain of debt!
Richard: You are sick, Evelyn! You belong in a prison cell!
Evelyn: Go ahead, call the police! Oh wait, they're already here! But you have no proof I tried to harm anyone! I just locked her in a room!
Renata: We have proof! Look at the hairdryer in the bathroom!
Officer Davis turned to Renata, brow furrowed[cite: 1].
Officer Davis: What about the hairdryer, ma'am?
Renata: She plugged the hairdryer into an ungrounded outlet right beside a full bathtub! She was holding Maya right next to the water!
Clara: WHAT?!
Renata: She was planning to drop it in the tub and claim it was a terrible accident while blowing Maya's hair dry! That's why I ran into the room and yelled!
Richard felt the blood drain from his face as he looked at Evelyn[cite: 1].
Richard: You tried to kill my seven-year-old daughter?!
Evelyn: She's a lie! She's Clara's kid, not mine! If I was going to be Mrs. Richard Vance, I wasn't going to raise Clara's brat!
Officer Davis: That is enough out of you, ma'am! You are under arrest for attempted capital murder, aggravated kidnapping, and assault!
Evelyn: Get your hands off me! I didn't touch the kid! The maid touched her!
Maya: You did touch me! You cut my head with your sharp ring!
Maya pointed her small, trembling finger at Evelyn’s right hand[cite: 1]. On her middle finger was a large, sharp diamond ring with a protruding edge[cite: 1].
Officer Davis inspected the ring, noticing tiny traces of dried blood along the platinum rim[cite: 1].
Officer Davis: We have DNA evidence right here on this ring. Partner, bag this ring for forensics immediately.
Officer Smith: On it, Davis.
Evelyn struggled against the officers, kicking her legs as they dragged her toward the front entrance of the mansion[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Richard! Don't do this! I love you! I can be a better wife than Clara ever was!
Richard: Don't you ever say my name again. You are dead to this family.