The heavy front doors of the mansion creaked open as four Texas State Troopers and two federal agents in dark suits walked into the marble foyer[cite: 1]. Their heavy boots clicked against the polished floor, shattering the quiet morning air[cite: 1].
Agent Miller: Gabriel Sterling?
Gabriel: I'm Gabriel Sterling, Agent Miller. Thank you for getting here so quickly.
Agent Miller: We have a federal warrant for Victoria Sterling and her father, Richard Montgomery, for wire fraud, embezzlement, and grand larceny.
Victoria: Stay away from me! You have no right to enter my home without my lawyer present!
Agent Miller: Ma'am, the warrant was signed by a federal judge an hour ago. We already have your father in custody at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport.
Victoria stumbled back against the dining table, knocking over a crystal glass that shattered on the floor[cite: 1].
Victoria: Gabriel! Do something! Tell them this is a mistake!
Gabriel: The only mistake I made was marrying you, Victoria. Agent Miller, the black leather binder with the offshore bank routing numbers is right on the dining table, along with her personal laptop.
Agent Miller: Excellent. Officer Davis, secure the evidence.
A female trooper stepped forward, picking up the ledger and placing it into a clear plastic evidence bag[cite: 1].
Victoria: That binder is my personal property! You can't take that!
Trooper Davis: Ma'am, turn around and place your hands behind your back.
Victoria: Get your filthy hands off me! Do you know who I am?! My family owns three real estate towers in downtown Dallas!
Trooper Davis: Right now, ma'am, you are a federal suspect under arrest. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
The metal handcuffs clicked tightly around Victoria's slender wrists[cite: 1]. She let out a sharp, hysterical shriek, struggling against the officer's firm grip[cite: 1].
Victoria: Gabriel! Look at what they're doing to me! I'm your wife!
Gabriel: You haven't been my wife since I took that ring off. You're just a criminal getting what she deserves.
Victoria: You set me up! You planned this whole thing!
Gabriel: I didn't set you up, Victoria. You set yourself up when you decided to steal from a charity and abuse the people who work in this home. I just stopped turning a blind eye.
Agent Miller: Mr. Sterling, we'll also need a statement regarding the domestic incident involving your staff member.
Gabriel: Maria is in the kitchen. She has severe burns on her arm from boiling tea. I want full assault charges added to Victoria's record for what she did today.
Victoria: Assault charges for a spilled cup of tea?! You're insane!
Gabriel: It wasn't a spilled cup, Victoria. It was intentional cruelty. And in the state of Texas, intentional bodily injury carries real prison time.
Victoria: Gabriel, please! I'm sorry! I'll apologize to the maid! I'll clean her arm myself!
Gabriel: Too late, Victoria. Take her away.
The two state troopers escorted Victoria toward the grand entryway, her high heels dragging against the marble floor as she screamed hysterically[cite: 1]. Her loud cries echoed through the hollow mansion until the heavy double doors slammed shut behind her[cite: 1].
Gabriel stood alone in the dining room, looking down at his wedding ring resting on the white table[cite: 1]. He picked up the heavy piece of platinum, walked over to the open window, and tossed it into the fountain outside.