With Eleanor gone, the hotel manager stepped forward, bowing respectfully to Victoria.
Hotel Manager: Ms. Vance, I am so deeply sorry for the terrible disturbance tonight. If I had known who you were, I would have had security escort that woman out hours ago.
Victoria: It's fine. Just make sure my father's memorial charity event continues as planned.
Hotel Manager: Absolutely, right away! Anything you need, please just let me know!
Victoria looked down at her daughter, taking a soft silk napkin from a nearby tray to gently wipe the dried tears from Lily's cheeks.
Victoria: Are you okay now, sweetie?
Lily: Yeah... but my arm still feels a little sore, Mommy.
Victoria: Let's have the paramedics take a look at it outside, just to be completely sure.
Lawyer: Victoria, the board of directors of Vance Enterprises is waiting in the private lounge upstairs. They want to formally reinstate you as Chief Executive Officer tonight.
Victoria: Tell them I'll be up in twenty minutes, Arthur. My daughter comes first.
Lawyer: Of course. I will inform them immediately.
Victoria held Lily's hand tightly as they walked together through the grand hall toward the exit. The guests politely parted ways, clapping softly as Richard Vance's rightful heir passed through the crowd.
Outside the luxury hotel, the night air was cool and crisp. Red and blue police lights flashed against the glass windows as Eleanor was loaded into the back of a patrol car.
A paramedic examined Lily's wrist in the back of an ambulance, applying a soft cold pack to reduce the swelling.
Paramedic: No broken bones, ma'am. Just a mild sprain and some surface bruising. She should be totally fine in a couple of days.
Victoria: Thank you so much.
Lily: Mommy... are we going to stay in Grandpa's big house now?
Victoria: Yes, baby. We're going home. The house that your grandfather built for us.
Lily: Will the mean lady ever come back?
Victoria: No, Lily. She's never coming back. I made sure of that.
As the ambulance doors closed and the police cruiser pulled away into the city traffic, Victoria looked out at the bright skyline of New York City, feeling a profound sense of peace for the first time in years.