Victoria's hands trembled as she clutched her son's arm tightly, looking around the bright hallway as if expecting security guards to come rushing to their defense. But no guards appeared. The marble corridor remained completely quiet, save for the muffled sound of applause coming from inside the main ballroom where guests were still waiting for Julian's scheduled political announcement speech.
Victoria: Julian, we have to leave right now! Take the private elevator down to the garage!
Arthur: I wouldn't recommend going to the parking garage, Victoria.
Victoria: And why shouldn't we?! We own this entire building!
Arthur: Federal agents and the NYPD are currently waiting at every exit, including the underground garage.
Julian's face drained of every last trace of color as he took a slow step back toward the wall, his hand slipping from his mother's frantic grip.
Julian: Federal agents? For financial disputes?!
Chloe: It's not just a financial dispute when you launder fifty million dollars through shell companies to fund an illegal campaign trust.
Julian: That money was a loan from our offshore holding group!
Chloe: It was stolen from my father's pension fund, Julian! You thought he was too sick to fight back, but I wasn't!
Victoria: You little snake! You planned this whole thing from the very beginning!
Chloe: Your son made this easy. His arrogance was his biggest weakness.
Julian grabbed his collar, pulling his black bow tie loose as sweat broke out across his forehead. He looked toward the heavy double doors that led to the grand ballroom, realizing that his political career, his fortune, and his freedom were all vanishing at once.
Julian: Arthur, there has to be a settlement we can reach. Name your price! I can transfer ten million to your personal account tonight!
Arthur: You just attempted to bribe a legal trustee in front of two witnesses, Julian. That is another felony to add to your indictment.
Chloe: Give it up, Julian. You can't buy your way out of this one.
Victoria: Keep quiet, Chloe! You're nothing without your father's name!
Chloe: My father's name is clean, Victoria. Yours is covered in red wine and federal charges.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors at the end of the hallway pushed open, and several men in sharp dark suits stepped into the corridor, accompanied by uniformed police officers. The lead federal agent pulled a badge from his jacket pocket and held it high in the bright light of the chandeliers.
Agent Miller: Julian Vance? Victoria Vance?
Julian: What is the meaning of this?! Do you know who I am?!
Agent Miller: We have warrants for your arrest issued by the Southern District of New York for bank fraud, wire fraud, money laundering, and grand larceny.
Victoria: Don't you dare touch my son! Get your hands off him!
Agent Miller: Ma'am, you are also under arrest as a co-conspirator in the offshore accounts scheme. Turn around and place your hands behind your back.
Julian tried to back away down the hall toward the emergency stairs, but two uniformed officers moved swiftly, blocking his path and pinning his arms firmly behind his back. The metal handcuffs clicked loudly in the quiet space, echoing off the marble walls.
Julian: Get off me! Chloe, tell them to stop! I'll give you back the estate! I'll give you everything!
Chloe: I already have everything back, Julian. You're just giving up your freedom.