The heavy front doors opened, and four uniformed police officers rushed into the grand foyer, followed closely by two paramedics carrying medical bags.
Police Officer: Mr. Sterling? We received a 911 call regarding child abuse.
Marcus: Over here, officer. My daughter needs immediate attention.
Paramedic: Let us take a look at her, sir. Set her down right here on the couch.
Marcus placed Lily on the soft leather sofa, staying by her side while the paramedics examined her arm.
Police Officer: Who is the suspect, sir?
Marcus: My wife, Victoria Sterling. She's standing near the top of the stairs.
Victoria walked down the grand marble staircase slowly, trying to look composed and elegant in front of the authorities.
Victoria: Officers, thank goodness you're here. My husband is extremely confused and agitated.
Police Officer: Ma'am, stay right there on the lower landing.
Victoria: There has been a massive misunderstanding. The child had a household accident.
Maria: That is a lie! I am the housekeeper, and I witnessed her burning the child on purpose!
Victoria: Maria is a disgruntled employee who was about to be terminated for theft!
Maria: Theft? I have worked for the Sterling family for twelve years with a clean record!
Marcus: Don't bother lying, Victoria. We have security cameras installed in the hallway outside that bathroom.
Victoria stopped dead on the stairs, her breath catching in her throat.
Victoria: Cameras? There are no cameras in the master suite!
Marcus: There are motion-activated security cameras covering every corridor and entry point in this estate.
Police Officer: Sir, do you have video evidence of the incident or the moments leading up to it?
Marcus: I have high-definition video of her dragging my screaming daughter into that bathroom three minutes before I arrived.
Victoria: That doesn't prove I burned her! That just shows me taking her to clean up!
Paramedic: Officer, this is a second-degree contact burn. It matches the size and shape of a butane lighter head.
Police Officer: That's all we need. Ma'am, step down off the stairs and turn around.
Victoria: You cannot arrest me! Do you know who my father is?
Police Officer: I don't care who your father is. Put your hands behind your back.
Victoria: Marcus, tell them to stop! Tell them we can handle this privately!
Marcus: I told you, Victoria. You are finished.
The officer stepped up, pulling Victoria's arms behind her back and snapping stainless steel handcuffs onto her wrists.
Victoria: OW! You're hurting me! Marcus, call my lawyer right now!
Marcus: I will call your lawyer, but only to inform him that I am filing for an immediate emergency divorce and a temporary restraining order.
Victoria: You can't take everything from me!
Marcus: You're going to lose your freedom, your lifestyle, and every dollar you thought you were entitled to.
Police Officer: Victoria Sterling, you are under arrest for felony injury to a child. You have the right to remain silent...
Victoria: MARCUS! YOU CAN'T DO THIS TO ME!
The officers escorted the screaming woman through the double front doors, her luxury lifestyle ending in the back of a patrol car.