Gabriel walked into the grand entrance foyer just as Clara reached the bottom of the stairs, dragging two designer bags behind her.
Clara: My car isn't here! Where is the chauffeur?!
Gabriel: I reassigned the driver for the day. A taxi is waiting outside the outer gates.
Clara: A taxi?! You expect me to ride in a city cab with my luggage?!
Gabriel: You can ride in a cab, or you can walk down the highway. Choice is yours.
The front doors opened, and Gabriel's attorney, David Vance, walked inside carrying a leather folder.
David: Good morning, Gabriel. I brought the cancellation documents.
Clara: David! Tell him he can't do this!
David: Miss Clara, I've already reviewed the security footage from forty minutes ago. You signed an explicit conduct clause when you accepted the engagement ring.
Clara: That was just standard paperwork!
David: Standard paperwork that legally terminates your access to all Sterling accounts immediately. Sign these two pages acknowledging the termination, or we file formal criminal charges before noon.
Clara snatched the pen from David's hand, her fingers shaking with rage as she scribbled her signature at the bottom of the paper.
Clara: You are a monster, Gabriel Sterling!
Gabriel: The gates are open, Clara. Don't come back.
Security guards picked up her bags and walked her out the massive oak doors, closing them shut behind her with a loud, final thud.
David turned to Gabriel, handing him a copy of the signed release forms.
David: She's officially legally disconnected from you and the business estate.
Gabriel: Thank you, David. How is her father's company looking?
David: The federal auditors are stepping in tomorrow. Her family won't have a penny left by next month.
Gabriel: Good. People like them need to learn that money doesn't make you superior to anyone.
David nodded, shook Gabriel's hand, and walked out to his vehicle.
Gabriel walked back toward the living room, feeling a massive weight lift off his chest.