Julian pulled himself up off the sofa, his hands shaking so violently he could barely keep his footing.
Julian: You can't kick me out of my own home! All my clothes are upstairs! My watches! My artwork!
District Attorney Sterling: The second trooper will escort you upstairs to gather one suit and your personal identification documents. Everything else is frozen pending the federal asset forfeiture hearing.
Julian: My watches are worth two hundred thousand dollars!
District Attorney Sterling: Then they will go a long way toward paying back the estate tax penalties you owed the government.
The second state trooper, Officer Davis, stepped forward and grabbed Julian firmly by the upper arm.
Officer Davis: Up the stairs, sir. You have ten minutes to collect your essentials.
Julian: Don't handle me like a common criminal!
Officer Davis: Then stop acting like one and move your feet.
Julian looked over at Karen one last time, his voice cracking with desperation and unbridled bitterness.
Julian: I gave you everything, Karen! I gave you a life in high society! I made you someone!
Karen: My father made this company, Julian. You were just the charming boy who married into it and thought you could steal the throne.
Julian: You'll regret this! When my lawyers get done with you—
Karen: Your lawyers resigned twenty minutes ago when the federal indictment was unsealed, Julian. You're representing yourself.
Julian stared at her in dead silence, the cold truth finally crashing down on him like an avalanche.
Officer Davis shoved him gently toward the grand staircase, forced to march him up the carpeted steps like a prisoner in his own palace.
Lily peeked over Karen's shoulder, watching her father disappear around the landing above.
Lily: Is Daddy going away for a long time?
Karen: Yes, sweetheart. Daddy is going away to learn a lesson he should have learned a long time ago.
District Attorney Sterling: Are you going to be alright, Karen? I can have an officer stay parked outside the gate tonight.
Karen: Thank you, Thomas, but that won't be necessary. I'm changing the security codes and locks as soon as the locksmith arrives.
District Attorney Sterling: I'll see you at the preliminary hearing on Monday morning at nine. We'll need your formal deposition regarding the nanny cam footage.
Karen: I'll be there. With my attorneys and every financial record from the last five years.
Thomas nodded respectfully, stepping back toward the foyer as the locksmith's van pulled up outside the front gates.
Karen carried Lily over to the large bay window, looking out over the sprawling green lawns of the estate.
Lily: Mommy, does this mean we don't have to hide anymore?
Karen: We never have to hide again, my darling. Nobody is ever going to scare you or hurt you as long as I breathe.