Victoria: Alexis! Tell them to stop! Call your lawyers and drop the charges! I'll give you back the house! I'll give you everything!
Alexis: The state of Texas is pressing the charges, Victoria. Not me. You're facing thirty years in a state penitentiary.
Victoria: *Screaming frantically* You won't get away with this! My family has connections in Austin! We'll appeal this judge's decision!
Lead Officer: Save it for the courtroom, ma'am. Move your feet.
The officers marched Victoria down the grand marble hall toward the open front entrance. As she passed beneath the framed American flag, she looked back one last time at Alexis, her freckled face twisted in a mixture of hatred and absolute terror.
Outside, news vans that had been monitoring the police radio frequencies were already parked along the driveway, their bright camera lights illuminating the front steps of the mansion.
Reporter 1: Mrs. Vance! Is it true you tried to poison Thomas Sterling for his trust fund?!
Reporter 2: Did you hire men to attack his daughter Alexis this morning?!
Victoria: Get those cameras out of my face! I am a victim of a corporate takeover!
The officers pushed her unceremoniously into the back seat of the black-and-white police cruiser, slamming the door shut. The flashing red and blue lights illuminated the pristine white facade of the Sterling estate as the car sped away down the tree-lined driveway.
Inside the foyer, the guests began to applaud, a slow build of clapping that quickly turned into a standing ovation for the woman in the white tuxedo.
Guest 1: Outstanding job, Alexis! Thomas would be so proud of you today!
Guest 2: You saved this entire company! We're with you all the way!
Alexis raised a gloved hand to quiet the room, her expression softening slightly as she looked around at her father's longtime friends and business associates.
Alexis: Thank you, everyone. I know today wasn't the party you expected. But the Sterling family legacy is safe once again.
Guest 3: What are you going to do about the company now, Alexis?
Alexis: I'm stepping in as permanent Chief Executive Officer starting right now. And the first order of business is restoring every worker pension that was stolen.
The room broke into even louder cheers. Alexis turned toward the grand staircase, walking slowly up the steps toward her late father's private office.
Head Guard: Miss Alexis, do you need medical attention for that cut on your face?
Alexis: Get me a fresh ice pack and a glass of scotch, Arthur. I have a company to rebuild.