The sharp sound of approaching sirens echoed outside the massive wrought-iron gates of the estate. Clara paced back and forth along the balcony, her hands clutching her head as she looked for a way out of the foyer.
Clara: You can't do this to me! Think of our social standing in Palm Beach! Think of the headline news!
Arthur: I don't give a damn about Palm Beach headlines! I care about my daughter's life!
Clara: I gave you four years of my life! I hosted your corporate galas! I managed this entire mansion!
Arthur: You managed to steal four million dollars from my late wife's inheritance fund!
Elena: Dad... the folder... on the desk...
Arthur: What folder, Elena? Don't stress yourself right now.
Elena: In the study... I printed out... the forged wire transfer receipts...
Clara froze on the balcony, her eyes darting toward the open double doors of Arthur's private study down the hall.
Clara: You sneaky little witch! You went through my personal desk drawers?!
Arthur: Shut your mouth, Clara! She exposed a thief!
Clara: That paperwork is confidential financial data! She broke federal privacy laws by accessing my files!
Arthur: It's my house, my computer network, and my company's money! You have zero privacy rights here!
The front doors burst open, and two paramedics carrying emergency stretchers rushed into the foyer, followed closely by three armed police officers.
Paramedic: Sir, please step back and let us evaluate the patient!
Arthur: She fell down the entire flight of steps! She's conscious, but she's in severe pain!
Officer Hayes: Sir, we received a 911 dispatch regarding a domestic assault and a push from the staircase. Who called this in?
Arthur: I did. I'm Arthur Sterling, the owner of this estate. My wife up on the balcony pushed my daughter down the stairs after being confronted about financial fraud!
Officer Hayes: Ma'am, stay right where you are on the balcony! Do not move!
Clara: Officer, this is a massive misunderstanding! My stepdaughter tripped because of her long dress! My husband is accusing me out of anger!
Arthur: Check the interior security cameras, Officer! The foyer lens is mounted right inside that chandelier ceiling fixture!
Clara's face went completely ghostly pale as she glanced up at the intricate crystal chandelier hanging above the center of the foyer.
Clara: You... you put cameras in the foyer?!
Arthur: I installed high-definition security feeds in every main room three weeks ago when the bank alerted me to suspicious withdrawals!
Officer Hayes: Officer Vance, go upstairs and secure the suspect immediately.
Officer Vance: Copy that, Chief.
The second officer drew his handcuffs and began marching up the marble stairs toward Clara, his heavy boots making a sharp clicking sound against the stone.
Clara: Stay away from me! Don't you dare touch me with those filthy handcuffs!
Officer Vance: Turn around and place your hands behind your back, ma'am!
Clara: Arthur! Tell him to stop! We can work this out! I'll return every single dollar I transferred!
Arthur: You'll return it through a court court-ordered asset forfeiture while you sit in a state prison cell!