The crowd of guests gasped loudly as the incredible truth spread across the grand room from table to table. The mayor stepped closer, his jaw open in pure shock as he listened to the lawyer read the official charges aloud. The private video cameras on people's phones were zoomed in tight on Victoria's terrified, glass-covered face on the floor. Mr. Harrison adjusted his reading glasses and cleared his throat, his loud voice carrying clearly across the silent ballroom.
Mr. Harrison: State officials froze all your bank accounts today.
Victoria: You cannot freeze my personal credit cards!
Mr. Harrison: Every dollar was taken from Arthur's legitimate trust.
Victoria: I am his legal wife! I have rights!
Mr. Harrison: You forged his signature while he was sick.
Hannah: We found the original signed papers in your office.
Victoria: You stole documents out of my private house!
Mr. Harrison: She recovered stolen property belonging to her trust.
The two police officers stepped forward, pulling pair of shiny steel handcuffs from their leather belts with a metallic clink. They reached down and helped Victoria stand up from the slippery puddle of shattered crystal and champagne on the floor. Her green dress was ruined, dripping wet and torn at the hem from the sharp glass edges scattered around her. She tried to pulled her wrists away, but the strong officer secured the tight metal cuffs around her hands behind her back. The high-society guests who had praised Victoria five minutes ago were now taking photos and laughing at her fall.
Victoria looked around the large room, searching for a friendly face among her rich friends to help her pay bail. But every single guest stepped backward, turning their backs on her to show they wanted nothing to do with a fraudster. The city mayor shook his head in deep disgust and walked away toward the exit without saying a single word. Victoria felt completely isolated, trapped in the consequences of her own cruel actions and years of lies. Her grand life of fake luxury had ended right here on the very floor where she tried to humiliate an innocent girl.
Victoria: Please, Hannah! We can work out a settlement!
Hannah: You never offered me any settlement two years ago.
Victoria: I gave you a place to work and live!
Hannah: You treated me like dirt in my own house.
Victoria: I am sorry! Please tell them to stop!
Hannah: You are only sorry because you got caught.