Lucas kept a firm arm around my waist to steady me as the lobby crowd gathered in a wide circle around us. My heart was pounding like a hammer against my ribs, but my mind had never been clearer.
Lucas: Are you sure you can stand, Clara? You took a massive impact when I caught you.
Clara: I can stand. I need her to look me in the eye when the handcuffs go on.
Up on the balcony, Victoria was frantically whispering to her personal maid, Sarah, who also wore a USA flag pin on her uniform collar. Sarah looked terrified, her hands pressed over her mouth in complete shock.
Victoria: Sarah, tell them she tripped! Tell them she grabbed my hand and lost her balance!
Sarah: Mrs. Sterling... I can't lie about this. You pushed her.
Victoria: You shut your mouth if you want to keep your job and your apartment!
Sarah: You dragged her to the edge! I stood right here and heard what you said to her!
Clara: Thank you, Sarah! Tell the truth!
Victoria: You ungrateful little traitor!
Victoria reached out to slap Sarah, but a nearby guest stepped in between them, pulling Sarah safely out of reach.
Lucas: The whole story is coming out today, Victoria! Show them the documents, Clara!
I reached into the inner pocket of my coat, which had dropped to the floor during the commotion, and pulled out a damp leather envelope. Inside were the forensic audit documents my investigator had finalized only hours before the gala.
Clara: This is why she tried to kill me tonight! My father didn't die of natural causes, and he certainly didn't leave his estate to her!
Guest C: What is she talking about?
Guest D: Is Arthur's death under investigation?
Clara: Victoria paid off a dirty doctor to alter my father's medical records while he was unconscious! She forged his signature on a fake codicil to his trust fund three days before he died!
Victoria: That's a lie! Arthur wanted me to have everything! He knew you were incompetent!
Clara: Then why did you transfer forty million dollars to a shell company in Panama yesterday morning?
The crowd gasped louder. Several board members who were standing near the fountain stepped forward, their faces dark with anger.
Board Member Miller: Is this true, Victoria? Did you transfer corporate funds out of the primary reserve?
Victoria: Miller, don't listen to this crazy girl! She's hysterical after falling!
Clara: I didn't fall! You threw me! And the bank records have your personal digital signature on every wire transfer!
Lucas: I handed those exact financial files to the district attorney an hour ago, Victoria. They already froze the destination accounts.
Victoria's face turned completely white. She stumbled back a step, gripping the balcony ledge with bloodless knuckles.
Victoria: You... you blocked the wire?
Lucas: Every single penny. You're broke, Victoria. And in about sixty seconds, you'll be under arrest.
Victoria: No... no! This is my company! I am the head of the Sterling family!
Clara: You were never a Sterling. You were just a leech who thought she could murder her way into wealth.
Victoria: I'll destroy you, Clara! I swear I'll destroy you!
Clara: You can try, but you'll have to do it from a state prison cell.