Victoria: Stop recording me! Put those phones away!
Guest D: Look at the murderer in lace!
Guest E: She belongs in a maximum-security prison for life!
Victoria thrashed against the officers' grip, her delicate white lace gown dragging across the floor where pieces of the fallen cake lay scattered.
Victoria: You’re all jealous! Every single one of you!
Detective Vance: Watch your head, ma'am.
The officers pushed her through the heavy front double doors into the cool night air outside. Flashing red and blue lights illuminated the grand hotel entrance, where four police cruisers and a news van were parked along the curb.
Press photographers swarmed the stone steps, flashbulbs exploding continuously as Victoria was led down toward the lead patrol car.
Reporter A: Miss Vance! Is it true you tried to poison Julian Sterling on stage?
Reporter B: What about Arthur Sterling’s death three years ago?
Reporter C: Did you hide a digitalis syringe in the wedding cake?
Victoria tried to cover her face with her handcuffed hands, but the photographers caught every angle of her ruined, tear-stained face.
Victoria: Get those cameras out of my face! Get them away!
Officer Davis pushed her head down, forcing her into the back seat of the police cruiser. The heavy metal door slammed shut, cutting off her shrill screams instantly.
Inside the ballroom, the high-society guests slowly began to disperse as police officers marked off the stage area with yellow crime scene tape.
Julian stood near the front row couch, holding little Lily close against his chest. His mother Eleanor sat beside them, gently rubbing Lily’s back.
Eleanor: Is the police team finished taking statements, Julian?
Julian: Yes, Mom. Detective Vance said we can go home now.
Lily: Daddy... is that bad lady coming back to our house?
Julian: No, my sweet girl. She is never coming near our house ever again.
Eleanor: You saved your father’s life tonight, Lily. You were so brave.
Lily: I just didn't want Daddy to get sick like Grandpa did.
Julian’s eyes filled with tears as he kissed his daughter’s forehead, wrapping his suit jacket around her shoulders.
Julian: Your grandpa is looking down on us right now, Lily. He’s so proud of you.
Eleanor: What about the company, Julian? The stock market opens in twelve hours.
Julian: Marcus is already drafting a press release detailing Victoria’s arrest and the recovery of the forged trust documents.
Eleanor: Investors will appreciate the transparency. The Sterling name is safe.
Julian: The company doesn't matter right now, Mom. All that matters is taking my daughter home where she belongs.
Julian lifted Lily into his arms, walking past the shattered cake and the yellow tape, stepping out into the clean, quiet night air.