Evelyn: Vance, listen to me! Marcus is staging a corporate coup because he wants full control of the Sterling trust!
Detective Vance: We didn't receive a dispatch for a corporate coup, Evelyn. We received a direct video feed from the foyer security camera five minutes ago.
Detective Vance held up his digital patrol tablet, tapping the screen twice to reveal crystal-clear high-definition video from the dome camera mounted on the cream ceiling.
On the screen, Evelyn could be clearly seen walking up to five-year-old Lily, violently slapping her across the face, and shoving her down beside the stainless steel dog bowl before screaming at her.
Detective Vance: That is felony child abuse and physical assault on a minor, Evelyn. Recorded in four-K resolution with live audio.
Evelyn: That video is edited! That's an AI fake created by Cora!
Detective Vance: The security camera feeds directly to the state police server, Evelyn. It cannot be edited or altered by anyone.
Evelyn's face drained of all color. She took two fast steps backward, her high heels scraping against the slick marble tile as she looked around at the high-society guests who were pulling out their smartphones, taking photos and recording video clips.
Guest A: Look at the gold digger! She slapped a five-year-old child on camera!
Guest B: She stole two million dollars from an orphan's trust fund! What a monster!
Evelyn: Stop filming me! Turn those cameras off right now!
Marcus: You loved being in the spotlight when you were spending my brother's money, Evelyn. Enjoy the spotlight now.
Detective Vance stepped forward, grabbing Evelyn's wrist and pulling her arms behind her black silk gown. The sharp, metallic click of steel handcuffs echoed clearly through the silent foyer.
Evelyn: Ah! Get your hands off me! You're ruining my dress!
Detective Vance: You have the right to remain silent, ma'am. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Evelyn: Marcus! Tell them to stop! Please! I'll give back the two million dollars! I'll sign the trust release waiver today!
Marcus: You're going to sign the trust release waiver in a state penitentiary, Evelyn.
The two officers turned Evelyn around, guiding her across the polished marble floor toward the grand double doors of the main entrance.
Evelyn: Marcus! Think about our family reputation! Think about what the press will say tomorrow morning!
Marcus: The press is going to report that the Sterling estate is finally clean of trash.