Richard helped Sarah stand up, wrapping his arm securely around her waist to keep her steady while Lily held onto her mother's dress.
Sarah: She tried to force me to sign a power of attorney document while I was locked in that room, Richard. She said if I signed it, she'd let me take Lily and leave the country.
Richard: Did she touch you? Did she hurt you?
Sarah: She kept me in the dark without food or water for two days... she told me you were never coming back...
Richard turned to face Victoria, his voice dangerously quiet as he stepped toward his stepmother.
Richard: You came into my house after my mother passed away, promising to help manage the family affairs. I trusted you like a mother, Victoria.
Victoria: I raised you after your mother died, Richard! You owe me respect! You owe me everything this family built!
Richard: My mother built this family business alongside my father. You were just his second wife for three years before he passed. You haven't earned a single dime of this estate.
Victoria: I am a legal heir to the Sterling name! You can't just throw me out like trash!
Richard: I'm not throwing you out, Victoria. The state police are going to do that for me.
The sound of loud police sirens suddenly filled the driveway outside, the red and blue lights flashing through the front windows of the grand foyer.
Victoria: You called the police on your own stepmother?! Think about the media, Richard! Think about our company's stock prices!
Richard: My company's stock will survive. My family's safety comes first.
Two uniformed police officers walked down the hallway, led by Richard's personal lawyer, Mr. Harrison.
Mr. Harrison: Officers, that is Victoria Sterling. She is the individual named in the felony warrant for grand larceny, forgery, and kidnapping.
Officer Vance: Victoria Sterling, step forward and place your hands behind your back.
Victoria: Get your hands off me! Do you have any idea who I am?! I am the matriarch of this family!
Officer Vance: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
The officer grabbed Victoria's arms, pulling them behind her back and clicking steel handcuffs around her manicured wrists. Victoria thrashing against his grip, screaming at the top of her lungs as they forced her down the hall.
Victoria: Richard! Tell them to stop! You'll regret this! I'll take everything you own in court!
Mr. Harrison: Good luck with that, Victoria. Your prenuptial agreement explicitly revokes all financial claims in the event of a felony conviction.
Victoria's screams faded down the front steps as the officers marched her out to the waiting patrol car. The entire house fell into a quiet, peaceful silence.