Chief Vance: Officers, unlock the study and bring the suspect out into the foyer.
Guard Thomas unlocked the heavy oak doors, and two uniformed officers walked inside. A second later, Victoria came storming out into the grand hall, her hair messy and her face red with rage.
Victoria: Chief Vance! Thank goodness you're here! My husband has gone mad! He attacked me and locked me in a room!
Chief Vance: Mrs. Sterling, turn around and place your hands behind your back.
Victoria: What?! Are you insane?! I am the daughter of Richard Vance!
Chief Vance: I don't care if you're the Queen of England, ma'am. You are under arrest for child cruelty and felony battery.
The officers grabbed her wrists, pulling them firmly behind her waist. The sharp, metallic clicking sound of handcuffs echoed through the marble foyer.
Victoria: ARTHUR! TELL THEM TO STOP! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!
Arthur: I told you that prenup wouldn't protect you from a crime, Victoria.
Victoria: MY FATHER WILL DESTROY YOU IN COURT! HE OWNS HALF THE JUDGES IN PALM BEACH!
Arthur: Your father's company filed for emergency bankruptcy ten minutes ago when my firm pulled our forty-percent stake. He can't even afford his own defense lawyers right now.
Victoria's jaw dropped in absolute shock, her eyes widening as the terrifying reality of her destruction settled into her mind.
Victoria: You... you ruined my father's business?!
Arthur: You ruined it the moment you laid your hands on my innocent son.
Victoria: Arthur, please! I'll go to therapy! I'll never raise my voice again! Think of our family name!
Arthur: Our family name will be just fine without a convicted felon attached to it. Take her out of my sight.
The officers dragged Victoria backward through the double white doors, her high-pitched screaming echoing across the lawn until the police car doors slammed shut. Silence returned to the grand estate once more.
Arthur walked up the grand staircase to the second floor, pushing open the white door to the master nursery. Elena was sitting in a plush rocking chair, softly humming a lullaby while feeding Leo his warm milk bottle. The baby's tears had dried, and his tiny hands were resting peacefully against Elena's apron.
Arthur: How is he doing, Elena?
Elena: He drank his whole bottle, Mr. Sterling. The doctor just finished examining him downstairs.
Arthur: What did Dr. Harrison say?
Elena: He said the bruising is minor, thank God. With proper care and love, he'll heal completely in a few days.
Arthur: And what about your eye, Elena? Did the doctor examine you too?
Elena: He gave me an ice pack and an ointment, sir. I'll be fine.
Arthur walked over and placed a warm, respectful hand on Elena's shoulder, his voice softening with deep gratitude.
Arthur: You saved my family today, Elena. Starting tomorrow, your salary is quadrupled, and you are officially Leo's head nanny with full legal guardianship rights if anything ever happens to me.
Elena: Mr. Sterling... that's too much! I was just doing what any human being should do!
Arthur: It's not enough for what you went through. You protected my son when I wasn't here to do it myself.