The heavy front doors of the mansion swung open, and four state troopers marched into the bright foyer[cite: 1].
Officer Davis: "Mr. Arthur Vance? We received a priority dispatch regarding a hostage situation."
Arthur: "Over here, Officer. The suspect is standing in the doorway."
Victoria: "Officer, listen to me! I am Victoria Vance! My family practically owns this county!"
Officer Davis: "Ma'am, keep your hands where we can see them."
Victoria: "My son is suffering from severe exhaustion! He doesn't know what he's saying!"
Arthur: "Officer, we found my missing wife locked in a floor compartment beneath our foyer floorboards[cite: 1]. Here is the medical evidence and the safe contents."
Arthur handed the thick folder and the bottle of sedatives directly to the lead officer.
Officer Davis examined the documents, his face hardening as he turned to his fellow troopers.
Officer Davis: "Cuff her."
Victoria: "Don't you dare touch me! Unhand me this instant!"
A female officer stepped forward, pulling Victoria's arms behind her back and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around her wrists.
Victoria: "Arthur! Tell them to stop! You are ruining our family name!"
Arthur: "You ruined it the day you chose money over human life."
Victoria: "I did everything for you! Everything!"
Arthur: "You did everything for yourself."
The officers escorted the screaming older woman down the front marble steps into the waiting police cruiser[cite: 1].
The foyer grew quiet once again, save for the soft sound of footsteps coming down the staircase.
Maya was supporting Evelyn, who was now dressed in a clean white robe, holding Leo close to her side.
Evelyn: "Is she gone?"
Arthur: "She's gone, Evelyn. She's never coming back to this house."
Evelyn: "I was so afraid... every time I heard footsteps above me, I prayed it was you."
Arthur: "I searched everywhere for you, Evelyn. I hired investigators, checked airports... I never imagined you were right beneath my feet."
Evelyn: "She bribed the private investigators you hired. She paid them double to file false missing-person reports in Europe."
Arthur: "I'll make sure every single person involved in this scheme spends years behind bars."
Leo looked up at Maya, pulling lightly on her maid apron sleeve[cite: 1].
Leo: "Thank you for cleaning the floor today, Maya."
Maya: "I was just doing my job, sweetie... but today was the best day of work I've ever had."
Arthur walked over to Maya, placing a hand on her shoulder with deep respect.
Arthur: "Maya, you aren't just our maid anymore. I want you to head our household management team, with full salary and private living quarters."
Maya: "Mr. Vance... you don't have to do that!"
Arthur: "You saved my family today. You deserve far more than that."