The heavy engine of the black SUV roared loudly in the enclosed space.
Margarethe sat in the front passenger seat with a harsh stern look.
The SUV surged forward directly toward the exit lane to block them.
Julian grabbed Elena and pulled her behind a concrete support pillar.
The heavy vehicle slammed into the metal guardrail with a loud crunch.
Margarethe stepped out of the vehicle with a furious look on her face.
"You are not leaving this estate with my family's fortune!" she yelled.
"The money was never yours to take, Aunt Margarethe!" Elena shouted back bravely.
Julian stepped out from behind the pillar and faced the vehicle directly.
"The police are already on their way to this location," Julian warned her.
"I filed a report for financial fraud and assault ten minutes ago."
Margarethe laughed wildly, her voice echoing off the damp garage walls.
"The local police department answers to my family trust line!" she bragged.
"Not anymore," a clear voice spoke up from the garage entrance stairs.
A senior officer in a dark blue uniform walked into the bright lights.
Two uniformed officers followed closely behind him with emergency lights flashing outside.
"Margarethe Vance, you are under arrest for fraud and illegal seizure," the officer said.
Margarethe's face went completely pale as the officer produced real steel handcuffs.
"This is a massive mistake!" she screamed as they grabbed her arms.
"I am the head of this family line and estate business!"
"The court revoked your guardianship papers two hours ago," the officer replied firmly.
They led the screaming woman away toward the waiting police cars outside.
Elena felt a massive weight lift off her heavy chest all at once.
She looked around the quiet garage as the loud noise finally faded away.
Julian walked over to her side and placed a warm hand on her arm.
"It is finally over now, Elena," he said in a gentle voice.
"You are safe and free from her control for the rest of your life."
Elena looked up at the night sky through the open garage ramp doors.
The air smelled fresh and clean after the heavy spring rainstorm.
"Where do we go from here?" she asked, looking at the city lights.
"Wherever you want to go," Julian answered with a reassuring smile.
"Your father made sure you would have total freedom over your future."