The heavy mahogany doors slammed shut behind the guards and Victoria, cutting off her shrill protests and restoring a profound, resonant silence to the mansion[cite: 4]. Marcus let out a long, shaky breath, running a hand through his hair as the adrenaline crash finally began to take its toll on his body[cite: 4]. He knelt back down beside Elena, checking her forehead to ensure the bleeding had slowed down significantly under the clean linen handkerchief[cite: 4].
Marcus: How are you holding up, Elena? Are the paramedics taking too long with the stretcher[cite: 4]?
Elena: I'll manage, Mr. Vance... just knowing she's gone makes the pain a little easier to bear[cite: 4]!
Marcus: You saved more than just paperwork today, Elena. You saved the integrity of this entire household[cite: 4]!
Elena: I just did what any loyal employee would do when they see a thief in the halls[cite: 4]!
Marcus: Loyalty like yours deserves a permanent place of honor in this estate, starting tomorrow morning[cite: 4]!
Elena: Thank you, sir... I'm just glad the camera caught her red-handed before she could finish destroying the trust fund[cite: 4]!
Marcus: The security feed has already been downloaded and encrypted for the district attorney's office[cite: 4]!
Elena: Then her trial won't last ten minutes in front of a federal judge[cite: 4]!
Marcus: Exactly. Now let's get you to the hospital so you can recover properly on my dime[cite: 4]!
Elena: You're too kind, Mr. Vance. Truly, thank you for believing in me[cite: 4]!
Marcus stood up, offering a steady hand to help the injured housekeeper to her feet as the flashing blue lights of the police cruisers danced across the white marble floor[cite: 4].
Marcus: Let's welcome the authorities in, Elena. The nightmare in this hallway is officially over[cite: 4]!