Victoria’s hand hovered in the air, trembling with a sudden surge of blind rage as she stared down at the blinking red recording light on Elena's phone.
Victoria: You calculated little schemer... you set this whole confrontation up from the start[cite: 1]!
Elena: I knew what kind of monster you were the day you tried to force me to sign away my prenuptial settlement[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Martha! Grab that phone out of her hand right now or you're fired[cite: 1]!
Housekeeper: I'd rather starve on the streets than touch her, Victoria[cite: 1].
Martha dropped to her knees beside Elena, ignoring Victoria's screeching threats as she gently brushed the sweaty blonde hair away from the younger woman's forehead.
Housekeeper: Hang on, sweetheart. The gates just buzzed. Help is pulling up the driveway[cite: 1].
Elena: Did you... did you call the police directly, Martha[cite: 1]?
Housekeeper: I called the private estate security direct line and local dispatch at the same time[cite: 1].
Victoria spun around on her high heels, rushing toward the grand arched windows overlooking the front cobblestone courtyard.
Victoria: Those aren't police cruisers... that's just estate management[cite: 1]!
Elena: Look closer through the glass, Victoria[cite: 1].
The wailing sirens of two marked Chicago police cruisers echoed sharply against the marble pillars of the grand portico, their red and blue emergency lights painting the white walls in flashing crimson hues.
Victoria: This is absurd! They have no warrant to enter private property without my direct authorization as CEO[cite: 1]!
Elena: When a felony assault and attempted homicide are broadcast live to an emergency dispatcher, warrants aren't required[cite: 1].
Victoria: You think the state attorney general is going to prosecute me over a domestic dispute between family members[cite: 1]?
Elena: When it involves a multi-million-dollar trust fund embezzlement and a pushed pregnant heir, they certainly will[cite: 1].
Heavy boots pounded against the exterior marble steps as loud banging shook the front mahogany double doors.
Police Officer: Open the door! Chicago Police Department! Open up immediately[cite: 1]!
Victoria: Martha, do not let them in! Tell them everything is fine[cite: 1]!
Housekeeper: Not on your life, Victoria[cite: 1].
Martha scrambled across the checkered floor and threw the heavy deadbolt open, letting the uniformed officers rush into the grand hall.
Police Officer: Freeze! Nobody move a muscle[cite: 1]!
Victoria raised her hands defensively, her golden sequins glittering under the bright daylight as her arrogant facade finally began to crack[cite: 1].
Victoria: Officer, thank goodness you're here! This trespassing woman threw herself down my stairs to frame me[cite: 1]!
Elena: She's lying, officer! Look at my phone! The unedited video and audio confession are right here in your jurisdiction's cloud folder[cite: 1]!
Detective Vance stepped forward past the younger officers, his sharp eyes taking in the scattered pearls, the blood on the floor, and Victoria's panicked expression.
Detective Vance: Mrs. Victoria Sterling? I think you need to come with us down to the precinct[cite: 1].
Victoria: You can't arrest me! My lawyers will strip your badges by morning[cite: 1]!
Detective Vance: Your lawyers are currently reading the arrest warrant for attempted murder and financial wire fraud[cite: 1].
The cold click of steel handcuffs echoed through the grand mansion hall as Victoria was yanked backward by the wrists, her expensive gown twisting in defeat[cite: 1].