Victoria shrieked as Officer Martinez grabbed her wrists, pulling them firmly behind her dark burgundy dress and snapping the cold steel handcuffs into place.
Victoria: "Richard! Do something! You can't let them arrest me in front of everyone!"[cite: 1]
Richard: "I'm not doing a single thing except filing for divorce first thing tomorrow morning."
Victoria: "You can't divorce me! The prenup says I get half the real estate trust if you leave me!"
Richard: "Read clause fourteen of our prenuptial agreement, Victoria. An arrest for felony domestic violence completely voids your right to any financial settlement, alimony, or estate assets."
Victoria: "What?! You... you put that in the contract?!"
Richard: "My lawyers are very thorough. You walk away from this marriage with nothing."
Victoria: "You set me up! You planned this whole thing!"
Richard: "I didn't plan for you to hurt my daughter. You showed your true colors all on your own."
The guests pulled out their phones again, flashing bright lights as Victoria was escorted across the grand ballroom in handcuffs, her hair matted with cake and frosting[cite: 1].
Guest 3: "Look at her! The great Victoria Vance in handcuffs!"
Guest 4: "Serves her right! Treating a motherless child like that!"[cite: 1]
Victoria: "Shut up! All of you, shut up! Richard, you'll regret this! My family will ruin you!"
Richard: "Your family won't even accept your phone calls once this news breaks."
The officers led Victoria out the front doors of the mansion and into the back seat of a waiting patrol car[cite: 1]. The heavy door slammed shut, cutting off her hysterical screaming[cite: 1].
Richard took a deep breath, turning his full attention back to Lily[cite: 1]. He carried her upstairs to the master bathroom, gently sitting her down on a soft velvet chair near the vanity[cite: 1].
Richard: "Let's get you cleaned up, sweetheart."
Lily: "Is she ever coming back, Daddy?"[cite: 1]
Richard: "Never. I promise you, Lily. She will never step foot in this house again."[cite: 1]
Richard used a warm, damp cloth to wash away the green frosting from her face and hands, taking extra care around her swollen eyes. As the cream washed down the sink, Lily’s bright, beautiful smile slowly began to return[cite: 1].
Lily: "My mint green dress is ruined though..."[cite: 1]
Richard: "We'll buy you ten new dresses tomorrow. Whatever color you want."[cite: 1]
Lily: "Can we get a new birthday cake too?"[cite: 1]
Richard: "The biggest cake in Texas."[cite: 1]