Within fifteen minutes, the flashing red and blue lights of three Dallas police cruisers illuminated the massive glass windows of the grand entrance. Two uniform officers and a detective in a gray suit walked into the lobby, their heavy boots clicking against the marble floor.
The guests parted quickly to clear a path for the officers as Arthur Vance stepped forward to brief the detective on the ongoing situation.
Detective: Good evening. We received a call regarding physical assault and corporate financial fraud at this address. Who is the property owner?
Maya: I am, Detective. I am Maya Sterling-Murdock, owner of Murdock Global. I was physically assaulted by former general manager Victoria Vance when I arrived to review corporate documents.
Maya stepped into the light, showing the detective the distinct red cut and bruised skin on her left cheek, along with the torn fabric near the collar of her coat.
Detective: I see the injury, ma'am. Do you have security footage of the altercation?
Maya: Yes. Security Chief Henderson has already secured the high-definition footage from three separate lobby angles, showing Mrs. Vance striking me and throwing me to the floor.
Victoria: It was self-defense! She invaded my private office area and threatened me! I was protecting hotel property!
Arthur: Victoria, stop talking right now before you dig yourself an even deeper hole. You're making things worse with every word.
Detective: Mrs. Vance, based on the physical evidence, witness statements, and corporate documentation provided, you are under arrest for assault and grand larceny pending financial review.
The detective pulled a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt, step-by-step moving toward Victoria as the crowd watched in absolute awe.
Victoria: Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am? I am the general manager of the most exclusive hotel in Texas!
Detective: Turn around and place your hands behind your back, ma'am. Don't make this harder on yourself.
Victoria tried to pull away, but the second officer grabbed her arm firmly, snapping the cold metal handcuffs tightly around her wrists behind her gold dress.
Victoria: Uncle Arthur! Do something! Call our corporate lawyers! Pay my bail money!
Arthur: I cannot help you, Victoria. You stole from the company trust fund and attacked the primary owner. Our legal team will be filing a full civil lawsuit against you tomorrow morning.
Victoria: You traitor! You spineless old man! I gave ten years of my life to your family!
Maya: You didn't give ten years to my family, Victoria. You took ten years of stolen wealth from us. Now you will give the state of Texas five to ten years to pay it back.
The officers turned Victoria around and began leading her slowly across the vast marble floor toward the glass doors, right past the fifty wealthy donors she had tried to impress minutes earlier.
She hung her head in total humiliation as smartphone cameras flashed from every angle, capturing her perp walk in her ruined gold evening dress.