Back at the luxury ballroom, the music had stopped completely. Guests were gathered in small groups near the pillars, watching as Vanessa stood near the head table, yelling into her phone.
Vanessa: Wire the remaining thirty million to the offshore account immediately! Override the verification!
Lawyer: Mrs. Sterling, the bank froze all estate accounts! They said Marcus filed a fraud injunction!
Vanessa: That idiot can't stop me! Pack the legal documents into my bag! We are leaving for the airport right now!
Before she could move, the heavy doors of the ballroom slammed open with a loud bang.
Marcus walked inside under the glowing chandeliers, holding Sarah's hand on his left and Toby's on his right. Clara walked beside them, while Chief Miller and six police officers marched in directly behind them.
The entire ballroom gasped. Silverware dropped onto plates, and glasses clinked as people backed away.
Guest 1: Is that... Sarah Sterling?!
Guest 2: She's alive?! But they had a funeral service for her!
Guest 3: Look at Vanessa! She looks terrified!
Vanessa dropped her leather bag, her face turning completely pale. She backed up against the head table, knocking over a tray of champagne glasses that smashed onto the marble floor.
Vanessa: You... you're dead! I saw the police report!
Sarah: You tried to kill me, Vanessa! You locked me away and told me my husband was dead!
Marcus: You put sand in a casket and pretended to bury my wife so you could steal forty million dollars from my family!
Vanessa: It's a lie! This woman is an impostor! She was paid to ruin my reputation!
Officer Miller: Be quiet, Vanessa. We verified Sarah Sterling's fingerprints and scars ten minutes ago.
Vanessa: Marcus, please! I did this to protect Sterling Enterprises! Sarah was going to ruin the family business!
Marcus: You did it because you are greedy and cold-hearted. And now you're going to pay for it.
Officer Miller stepped forward, grabbing Vanessa's wrists and putting heavy steel handcuffs on her right under the framed American flag on the wall.
Officer Miller: Vanessa Sterling, you are under arrest for attempted murder, kidnapping, and grand theft.
Vanessa: Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?! I run this family!
Sarah: Not anymore, Vanessa. You're going to prison.
Reporters and photographers swarmed through the doors, flashbulbs lighting up the room as Vanessa was led past the dining tables in handcuffs.
Reporter: Mrs. Sterling! Did you really fake your stepdaughter's death to steal the family trust fund?!
Vanessa: Stop taking pictures of me! Turn those cameras off!
The entire ballroom broke into applause as the police led Vanessa out into the rain, where police lights flashed red and blue against the building.