The sound of police sirens grew louder outside the grand iron entrance gates.
Margarethe glanced toward the window as red and blue lights flashed across the walls.
Her hand began to shake violently as the reality of her situation hit her.
Margarethe: You actually called the police on me in my own mansion?
Clara: You attacked me on the stairs, so I had no other choice left.
Margarethe: I am a respected member of Dallas society, Clara!
Mark: Not anymore, Margarethe, because the truth is finally out in the open.
Margarethe dropped the scissors onto the carpet with a loud, heavy metallic thump.
She stepped back against the wall, realization setting in that her power was gone.
The front doors opened wide downstairs as two police officers entered the foyer.
Lawyer Vance walked in right behind them, holding a thick legal folder.
Lawyer Vance: Officers, the suspect is up on the second floor landing!
Officer Davis: Everyone stay right where you are and keep your hands visible!
The officers moved quickly up the grand marble staircase with firm steps.
They saw the scattered pearls across the floor and the dropped metal scissors.
Mark stepped between Clara and Margarethe to ensure Clara remained completely safe.
Officer Davis: What happened here tonight? Who is injured in this house?
Mark: Mrs. Sterling attacked Clara with those scissors and pushed her down the steps.
Margarethe: That is a complete fabrication, officer! I was merely defending my property!
Lawyer Vance: I have security video footage sent directly from the hallway cameras to my phone.
Lawyer Vance held up his tablet screen to show the clear video recording.
The video clearly showed Margarethe cutting the pearls and pushing Clara down the stairs.
Margarethe gasped softly as she realized her actions had been fully captured on camera.
Officer Davis: Margarethe Sterling, you are under arrest for assault and grand larceny.
Margarethe: You cannot arrest me in my husband's private residence!
Officer Davis: Turn around slowly and put your hands behind your back right now.
The second officer placed silver handcuffs around Margarethe's wrists with a quick click.
Margarethe looked at Clara with a glare filled with bitter defeated rage.
Margarethe: You will regret this day for the rest of your life, Clara!
Clara: I only regret that my father trusted someone who never truly cared for him.
The officers guided Margarethe down the stairs toward the waiting police cruiser outside.
Clara watched her stepmother leave the mansion that had caused so much pain.
She felt a heavy weight lift off her shoulders as the front doors closed shut.