The heavy oak doors opened once more, and two uniformed police officers accompanied by a sharp-looking man in a navy blue legal suit walked into the foyer.
Legal Counsel: Mr. Vance. It's an honor to see you alive and well, sir.
Ethan: Thank you, Mr. Harrison. Is the emergency injunction ready?
Legal Counsel: Signed by a federal judge an hour ago, sir. We have full authorization to freeze all assets associated with Marcus Vance and Vivian Vance pending a criminal investigation into fraud and unlawful restraint.
Vivian: Harrison! You work for Vance Enterprises! I paid your retainer last month!
Legal Counsel: You paid me with company funds, Ms. Vance. Funds that belong exclusively to Ethan Vance's primary estate. My duty of care is to the CEO, not to you.
Police Officer: Vivian Vance? You are under arrest for grand larceny, forgery, and false imprisonment.
Vivian: Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am? I am the daughter of Richard Vance!
Police Officer: Ma'am, step down the stairs slowly and keep your hands where we can see them.
Vivian stumbled down the marble steps, her high heels catching on the satin hem of her gown as the officers met her at the bottom and pulled her arms behind her back, snapping heavy iron handcuffs around her wrists.
Vivian: Ethan! Tell them to stop! You can't let them take me to jail! What will the newspapers say?
Ethan: Let them write the truth. That the great Vivian Vance was brought down by her own greed.
Chloe: Ethan, please! Call Marcus! He can explain everything!
Legal Counsel: Mr. Marcus Vance is currently being taken into custody at the corporate headquarters as we speak, Ms. Vance. Your entire conspiracy was logged on the company's private server.
Helena watched in silence as the officers led the screaming, crying woman out the front doors of the mansion.
The heavy silence returned to the foyer, broken only by the gentle sound of the morning wind outside.
Ethan turned back to Helena, bending down to gently wipe a speck of dirt from her cheek with his thumb.
Ethan: I am so sorry, Helena. I am so, so sorry I wasn't here to protect you.
Helena: You're here now, Ethan. That's all that matters to me.
Ethan: This house is dirty. Let's get you out of here.