Victoria suddenly turned on her heel and sprinted down the upper hallway toward the rear exit that led to the service stairwell. She thought she could reach the basement garage where her driver was waiting.
Lucas: She's running for the service stairs! Block the lower doors!
Clara: She has a master keycard to the garage!
Lucas: Not anymore. I had security override the building access codes five minutes before I walked in here.
We heard the faint sound of heavy footfalls pounding down the metal steps behind the wall. A moment later, the service door at the back of the lobby rattled violently. Victoria slammed against the crash bar, but the electronic lock held firm, buzzing with a bright red warning light.
Victoria: Open this door! Open it right now!
She pounded her fists against the heavy steel door, her grey suit jacket disheveled and her hair falling out of its neat bun. Through the thick glass window on the door, her face looked like a nightmare of desperation and rage.
Lucas: Give it up, Victoria! The building is on total lockdown!
Victoria: Let me out! I have millions! I can pay all of you! Name your price!
Board Member Miller: Disgusting. She's trying to bribe her way out in front of fifty witnesses.
Clara: Nobody wants your dirty money, Victoria. It isn't even yours to spend.
The heavy glass doors at the main entrance suddenly chimed as two police officers in dark uniforms pushed their way into the lobby, led by the hotel general manager.
Officer Vance: Police! Nobody move! Where is the suspect?
Lucas: Over here, officer! She's locked in the service stairwell after attempting to murder Miss Sterling!
Officer Vance: Stand back, everyone.
Officer Vance pulled his master key and swiped it against the reader. The magnetic lock clicked open, and the heavy door swung outward. Victoria stumbled into the lobby, nearly falling onto her knees before pulling herself upright.
Victoria: Officer! Thank God you're here! Arrest these people! They attacked me and trapped me in there!
Officer Vance: Ma'am, calm down.
Victoria: That girl pushed herself off the balcony to frame me! She's mentally unstable!
Clara: You really think anyone is going to believe that lie, Victoria?
Sarah: Officer, I'm her personal assistant. I stood right next to her. She grabbed Miss Clara by the dress, pulled her to the railing, and threw her over. She said, 'You should've died the day you came into this family.'
Officer Vance: Is this true, ma'am?
Victoria: She's lying! Clara paid her off!
Guest A: I have the whole thing on video from the lobby floor! You can see her throw her!
Guest B: I have video from the upper floor too! Clear as day!
Officer Vance: Turn around and place your hands behind your back, Mrs. Sterling.
Victoria: Don't touch me! Do you know who my lawyers are? I'll have your badge for this!
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 metal handcuffs clicked loudly around Victoria's wrists. The cold reality finally hit her, and her body went limp as the officers pulled her hands tight behind her back.