Major Miller: Commander Mason, I have brought the official military escort to transport you to Washington, D.C., for the ceremony tomorrow morning[cite: 1].
Claire: Thank you, Major[cite: 1]. Give me just two minutes to finish up some family business here first[cite: 1].
Major Miller: Yes, Commander[cite: 1]! Squad, perimeter guard[cite: 1]!
The Marines scattered instantly, taking up positions at every exit of the ballroom[cite: 1]. Their presence radiated absolute authority, effectively trapping Harrison and Victoria in front of their wealthy peers[cite: 1].
Claire turned back toward her uncle, pulling a thick envelope stamped with the seal of the Department of Defense from her clutch purse[cite: 1].
Claire: Six years ago, Uncle Harrison, my father passed away while I was overseas on my covert mission[cite: 1]. You used my classified absence to claim that I was dead, taking full control of the Sterling Enterprise trust fund and his seventy-million-dollar estate[cite: 1].
Harrison: We thought you were dead! The government couldn't tell us where you were[cite: 1]!
Claire: You didn't care whether I was dead or alive, Harrison[cite: 1]. You forged my signature on the estate transfer documents using your crooked corporate lawyers[cite: 1].
Victoria: That's slander! You can't prove my father forged anything[cite: 1]!
Claire: I don't need to prove it, Victoria[cite: 1]. The Federal Bureau of Investigation already did[cite: 1].
Claire tossed the thick envelope onto the tray of a nearby waiter[cite: 1]. The papers inside spilled out, showing federal warrants and forensic signature audits[cite: 1].
Claire: Because my mission was under executive protection, any attempt to steal my inheritance while I was on active duty is classified as federal treason against a military officer[cite: 1].
Harrison: Treason...?! Claire, please! We're family! We can work this out privately[cite: 1]!
Claire: Family? You sat by while your daughter tore my dress open to mock the wounds I received taking lashes for my country[cite: 1]. You didn't treat me like family, Harrison[cite: 1]. You treated me like a target[cite: 1].
Victoria: Claire, I didn't know! I swear I thought you were lying about serving[cite: 1]!
Claire: You didn't care about the truth, Victoria[cite: 1]. You just wanted to feel superior[cite: 1]. But luxury red silk can't hide a rotten heart[cite: 1].
Two men in sharp charcoal suits stepped through the open double doors behind Major Miller, holding federal badges in their hands[cite: 1].
Agent Vance: Federal Bureau of Investigation[cite: 1]. Harrison Sterling, you are under arrest for federal bank fraud, identity theft, and treasonous asset seizure[cite: 1].
Harrison: Wait! Call my lawyers! Call the governor! I am the chairman of the Sterling Group[cite: 1]!
Agent Vance: The Sterling Group was placed under federal receivership twenty minutes ago, sir[cite: 1]. All your accounts are frozen[cite: 1].