Without wasting another second on Evelyn, Richard dropped down to his knees on the hard white marble floor.
He completely ignored the dust and ruin of his expensive suit as he reached out for his trembling young son.
Leo threw his small arms around his father's neck, burying his tear-streaked face deep into Richard's grey jacket collar.
Richard pulled the boy into a tight, protective embrace under the prominent shadow of the giant American flag backdrop.
He held the boy close, feeling the violent shivers that ran through Leo's tiny frame after such horror.
Richard: Shh... You are completely safe now, my brave son.
Leo: I was so scared, Dad! She was going to hurt Maria!
Richard: Nobody will ever hurt you or Maria in this house again.
Leo: Please do not let her stay here with us anymore, Dad.
Richard: She is never going to touch a single thing in our life again.
Richard closed his eyes tightly, tears of deep regret and fatherly love welling up beneath his heavy eyelids.
He blamed himself for bringing such a toxic, greedy person into the safe haven of his innocent family home.
He lifted Leo up smoothly into his strong arms, holding the boy firmly against his chest like precious cargo.
Leo clung to his father's shoulder, his soft sobs gradually slowing down as he felt true safety return at last.
Richard stood tall on the marble floor, turning around slowly to face Evelyn with an icy, unyielding glare.
Evelyn stood holding her hands together tightly, her eyes wide with mounting panic as she backed away slowly.
She looked around the grand hallway, realizing that nobody in the room was going to take her side today.
The officer helping Maria stood up, placing a firm, supportive hand under the elderly maid's frail arm elbow.
Maria: Thank you, officer. I am just glad Leo is finally safe now.
Officer: You were very brave, ma'am. Let us help you to a chair.
Evelyn: Richard, please! We can work this out privately in our room!
Richard: There is nothing left for us to discuss privately, Evelyn.
Evelyn: You cannot throw me out! I am your legal wife under the law!
Richard motioned to the second police officer, who stepped forward holding a official stack of court documents out.
The papers held the signature of a federal judge, ordering Evelyn's immediate removal and restraining order from the estate.
Richard had spent the past week secretly investigating Evelyn's financial fraud and hidden bank accounts behind his back.
He had gathered all the necessary evidence to strip her of any rights to his estate and family fortune.
Evelyn backed away until her heels hit the bottom step of the grand staircase, her exit routes fully blocked.
She stared at the legal document in the officer's hand, her chest heaving with deep, bitter desperation and shock.
Her grand dream of taking over the Vance fortune had vanished entirely in a matter of a few short minutes.