An hour later, the mansion was quiet again[cite: 1]. A private medical team dispatched by Gabriel sat with Maria in the small staff sitting room near the kitchen, wrapping her forearm in soft medical bandages[cite: 1].
Dr. Evans: The burns are second-degree, Maria, but luckily there won't be any permanent nerve damage. Keep this cream on it for two weeks.
Maria: Thank you, Doctor. Thank you so much.
Gabriel walked into the sitting room, holding a pen and a set of legal documents[cite: 1].
Gabriel: How is she doing, Dr. Evans?
Dr. Evans: She's resting comfortably, Mr. Sterling. The burn ointment will ease the pain quickly.
Gabriel: Thank you, Doctor. Please send the bill directly to my personal account.
Dr. Evans nodded, packed his medical kit, and stepped out of the room, leaving Gabriel alone with the elderly maid[cite: 1].
Maria: Mr. Sterling... you didn't have to do all this. You didn't have to arrest Mrs. Sterling because of me.
Gabriel: Maria, look at me.
Maria looked up, her soft brown eyes filled with tears[cite: 1].
Gabriel: You have worked for my family for nearly twelve years. You took care of my mother before she passed away. You are part of this family, whether Victoria believed it or not.
Maria: She was always so mean to us when you weren't looking, sir. We were all terrified of losing our jobs, so we never said anything.
Gabriel: I am so sorry I didn't notice it sooner, Maria. I was so caught up in running the family firm that I ignored what was happening under my own roof. But that ends today.
Gabriel set the papers down on the coffee table in front of her[cite: 1].
Maria: What is this, sir?
Gabriel: This is a deed of transfer for a three-bedroom house in the northern suburbs of Dallas, along with a full retirement annuity trust fund under your name.
Maria gasped, clutching her uninjured hand to her chest[cite: 1].
Maria: Mr. Sterling! No, I cannot accept this! This is too much!
Gabriel: It is not too much, Maria. You are retiring today with full financial security. You will never have to work another day in your life, and you will never have to answer to anyone like Victoria ever again.
Maria: But... the house... the money...
Gabriel: The money comes directly from my personal savings, not the estate trust. It's clean, and it's yours. Sign the bottom line, Maria.
Tears spilled over Maria's wrinkled cheeks as she took the pen from Gabriel's hand and signed her name on the document[cite: 1].
Maria: God bless you, Mr. Sterling. God bless your kind heart.
Gabriel: Rest up today, Maria. My driver will take you to your new home tomorrow morning.
Gabriel stood up and walked back out into the main hallway[cite: 1]. His phone rang in his pocket, displaying his primary corporate lawyer's name on the screen[cite: 1].
Gabriel: Speak to me, David.
David: Gabriel, the news just broke. Victoria and her father are being held without bail at the Dallas County Detention Center. The District Attorney is filing formal charges by two o'clock.
Gabriel: File the emergency divorce papers immediately, David. I want every asset connection severed before the sun sets today.