Outside the grand estate hall, flashing red and blue lights illuminated the pouring rain as news vans from every major television network pulled up along the curb.
Reporters shoved microphones forward as police officers led Richard and Victoria Sterling down the front marble steps in heavy steel handcuffs.
Reporter 1: Mr. Sterling! Is it true you attempted to frame a teenage girl and a house maid to cover up a multi-million dollar estate theft?!
Richard: No comment! Get those cameras out of my face!
Reporter 2: Mrs. Sterling, how do you respond to the insurance fraud charges filed by the district attorney's office tonight?!
Victoria: This is a conspiracy! My lawyers will clear our names before the end of the week!
Officer Hayes: Watch your head, ma'am. Get into the back of the patrol car.
The doors of the police cruiser slammed shut, and the vehicle pulled away into the night, its sirens blaring down the wet pavement.
Back inside the warm, brightly lit hall, Eleanor sat at a velvet table with Mia and Sarah, reviewing the recovered legal documents with a court-appointed probate attorney.
Attorney Vance: Mrs. Eleanor, these recovered land titles and bearer bonds are completely legitimate and legally binding.
Eleanor: So Richard's claim on our family home and company stock is completely void?
Attorney Vance: Void and fraudulent. Furthermore, because Richard used corporate funds to pay for his personal debts, the board of directors will remove him as CEO by tomorrow morning.
Mia: Does this mean we don't have to sell our house, Mom?
Eleanor: We get to keep our house, sweetie. And no one will ever threaten our family ever again.
Sarah: I'm so glad the truth came out, Mrs. Eleanor. I was so scared when Richard placed that watch in my apron pocket.
Eleanor: You were so brave tonight, Sarah. You saved my daughter's future and brought my husband's killers to justice.
Sarah: I was just doing what was right. Your late husband was always kind to the estate staff.
Eleanor: Starting tomorrow, Sarah, I want you to step down from your maid duties. I am appointing you as the head manager of our family's new charitable foundation.
Sarah: Me? Head manager? Are you sure, Mrs. Eleanor?
Eleanor: You proved your integrity when everyone else in this room stayed silent. You earned this position.
Mia: You're part of our family now, Sarah!