The troopers pulled Victoria to her feet, her sparkling pink dress dragging through the spilled champagne and broken glass on the floor.
Victoria: Clara, you miserable little waitress! You ruined my life! You were supposed to be serving cider, not spying on me!
Clara: You ruined your own life the day you decided money was worth more than human blood, Victoria.
Victoria: I will get bail! My defense lawyers will have me out of that holding cell before midnight!
Detective Vance: Bail has already been denied by the state magistrate, Victoria. You are a flight risk and a violent danger to society.
The officers turned Victoria around, marching her firmly down the center aisle of the ballroom.
High-society guests pulled out their smartphones, recording every second of her downfall as camera flashes exploded in her face.
Guest A: Look at the socialite in handcuffs! Throwing a baby across a ballroom!
Guest B: She murdered Sarah Sterling for sixty million dollars! Disgraceful criminal!
Victoria thrashed wildly against the officers' grip, trying desperately to hide her bruised, tear-stained face in her silk collar.
Victoria: Stop filming me! Put those phones away right now!
The grand white double doors pushed open, and the cold afternoon breeze swept into the room. News camera crews that had monitored the emergency police dispatch were already swarming the driveway, their bright lights blinding the steps outside.
Reporter A: Miss Vance! Is it true you threw Ethan Sterling's infant son onto a marble floor?!
Reporter B: Did you poison Sarah Sterling with digitalis for her trust fund?!
Victoria screamed a string of bitter curses as Officer Miller guided her into the back seat of the lead police cruiser. The heavy steel door slammed shut with a sharp, resounding thud, cutting off her shrill voice once and for all.
Inside the quiet ballroom, two estate paramedics hurried across the marble floor toward Clara and little Toby.
Paramedic: Ma'am, please let us examine the infant immediately.
Clara: Please check his head, Doctor. He didn't hit the stone, but the velocity was terrifying.
The paramedic gently checked Toby's pupils with a penlight, tested his reflexes, and listened to his tiny lungs with a stethoscope.
Paramedic: His vitals are completely stable, Mr. Sterling. No skull fractures, no spinal trauma. Clara's catch broke his momentum perfectly.
Ethan let out a long, shuddering breath, tears of pure relief spilling down his cheeks as he held Clara's hand tight.
Ethan: Thank God... Oh, thank God!
Paramedic: Miss Clara, your knees are severely lacerated from sliding across that floor. Let us dress those wounds right now.
Clara: I barely feel them, Doctor. Knowing Toby is breathing is all that matters to me.
Ethan looked down at Clara's torn uniform and her bruised knees, his heart swelling with profound respect and gratitude.
Ethan: You risked your own life to slide across this floor, Clara.
Clara: I made a promise to Sarah, Mr. Sterling. I promised her I would never let that woman harm Toby.
Ethan: You kept that promise with the courage of a lion, Clara. And this family will never forget it.
Chief Miller walked over, holding a leather folder stamped with the seal of the probate court.
Miller: Mr. Sterling, the emergency injunction has been ratified. The marriage contract with Victoria Vance is officially null and void under the Slayer Statute.
Ethan: Excellent. Now bring me the foundation transfer documents.
Clara: What foundation documents, Mr. Sterling?
Ethan looked into Clara's honest, tear-filled eyes, his expression full of profound respect and warmth.
Ethan: Starting today, Clara, your days as a waitress are over forever.