The heavy oak front doors of the mansion creaked open as two uniformed police officers stepped into the foyer.
Behind them stood Arthur, the estate's senior security director, holding a tablet computer.
Arthur: Mr. Vance, we dispatched the local precinct as soon as the indoor security cameras flagged the altercation in the hallway.
David: Thank you, Arthur. You arrived right on time.
Evelyn: Arthur! How dare you call the police on me! I pay your salary!
Arthur: Actually, ma'am, Mr. Vance pays my salary. And my job is to protect the Vance family, especially Miss Lily.
Officer Davis: Mr. Vance, what is the situation here?
David: Officer, my wife just physically assaulted my seven-year-old daughter, causing visible facial bruising.
Officer Davis: Is the child okay?
David: She's terrified and injured. Furthermore, we have uncovered evidence of grand larceny, corporate embezzlement, and forged guardianship documents.
David handed the folded court papers and the black leather ledger directly to the lead officer.
Officer Davis: What's your name, ma'am?
Evelyn: I am Evelyn Vance! I am the lady of this house!
Officer Davis: Ma'am, step away from the doorway and keep your hands where we can see them.
Evelyn: Don't you touch me! Do you know who my lawyers are?!
Officer Miller: We don't care who your lawyers are, ma'am. Look at that child's face. The bruise is already swelling.
Officer Miller pulled a pair of steel handcuffs from his utility belt, stepping toward Evelyn.
Evelyn: David! Tell them to stop! You can't let them arrest me in my green silk dress in front of the staff!
David: You put your hands on my child. You're lucky the police got here before I lost my temper completely.
Evelyn: You're a monster, David! You care more about that brat than your own wife!
David: That 'brat' is my flesh and blood. You are a criminal who tricked her way into my home.
Officer Miller grabbed Evelyn's wrists, pulling them behind her back and clicking the steel cuffs tightly in place.
Evelyn: AHH! You're hurting my arms! Let go of me!
Officer Davis: Evelyn Reed Vance, you are under arrest for domestic battery on a minor, felony grand theft, and forgery.
Evelyn: I didn't do anything wrong! Marcus told me to sign those papers!
David: Thank you for confirming Marcus Sterling's involvement on officer bodycam footage, Evelyn.
Evelyn gasped, realizing she had just implicated her accomplice in front of two police officers.
Evelyn: No... wait! I didn't mean that! Marcus tricked me!
Officer Davis: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
The officers turned Evelyn around and began escorting her down the wide front steps toward the waiting patrol car.
Evelyn's high heels dragged along the marble floor, her expensive green silk dress catching on the doorframe as she screamed in frustration.