Arthur pulled his smartphone out of his inner jacket pocket without taking his eyes off Evelyn.
Arthur: I am calling my head divorce lawyer and the local police department right now.
Evelyn: No, Arthur! Please do not call the police on me, we can handle this privately!
Arthur: You threatened the life of my only child for money, so there is no private handling!
Evelyn fell onto her knees on the marble floor, begging her wealthy husband for mercy.
Her elegant brown dress crumpled against the stone that she had dominated just minutes earlier.
Evelyn: I will leave the house quietly tonight if you just agree not to press charges!
Arthur: You will stand trial for attempted child endangerment and severe financial fraud!
Arthur dialed the emergency number quickly, speaking with a stern, icy tone to the police dispatcher.
He reported the exact events that had just occurred inside his high-end private residence.
Within less than ten minutes, red and blue flashing lights illuminated the grand driveway windows.
Two local police officers walked into the open foyer, their heavy boots thudding against the floor.
Officer: Mr. Vance, we received your urgent call regarding child endangerment and fraud.
Arthur: Yes officer, this woman intentionally placed my daughter in grave physical danger.
Arthur handed over the forged bank transfer document that Clara had successfully retrieved earlier.
The police officers reviewed the document before turning their attention directly toward Evelyn.
Officer: Ma'am, please stand up and place your hands behind your back immediately.
Evelyn: You cannot arrest me! Do you know how much money my family has?!
Officer: The law applies equally to everyone, regardless of your family wealth.
The officer placed metal handcuffs around Evelyn's wrists with a metallic clicking sound.
She screamed in frustration and anger as she was led out through the large front entrance doors.
Arthur watched her get taken away, feeling an overwhelming wave of relief wash over him.
The dark cloud that had hung over his family for months was finally beginning to clear away.
He turned back toward Clara, who was still tenderly comforting little Lily near the grand staircase.