The paramedics spent twenty minutes cleaning and stitching Claire’s wound in the living room while police officers collected evidence from the dining table. Eleanor sat on the couch across from her, holding a glass of brandy with trembling hands.
Eleanor: You ruined my son's life in ten minutes, Claire. Over a stupid disagreement about money.
Claire: He put a permanent scar on my face, Eleanor. He belongs in a cell.
Eleanor: We protected you! We gave you a name, a home, a place in high society!
Claire: You used my father's reputation to cover up your family's massive debts. Did you think I didn't know about the offshore accounts?
Eleanor set her glass down so hard the amber liquid sloshed over the rim.
Eleanor: What offshore accounts? You don't know what you're talking about.
Claire: The five million dollars Richard moved out of the family trust last month. The money he spent trying to buy off the bank examiners before the audit next week.
Eleanor: You... you've been reading his private papers?
Claire: I am a co-trustee, Eleanor. I didn't need to steal anything. I just had to open my eyes.
A tall man in a navy blue suit walked into the house, carrying a thick leather briefcase. He bypassed the police officers with a quick nod and walked straight to Claire.
Marcus: Good evening, Claire. Are you alright?
Claire: I'll live, Marcus. Did you bring the documents?
Marcus: Everything is ready. The restraining order is signed by the judge, and the freezing order on all Sterling family joint accounts was approved twenty minutes ago.
Eleanor: Who is this man? Claire, who authorized this?
Marcus: I am Marcus Vance, head counsel for the Vance Estate. And as of tonight, I am representative for your son's primary creditor.
Eleanor: Creditor? What are you talking about? My husband founded this firm!
Marcus: And your husband took a thirty-million-dollar loan from Claire's father six years ago to save your firm from bankruptcy. The loan was secured by the Sterling Mansion and all associated corporate shares.
Eleanor: That loan was forgiven! Richard said it was forgiven as a wedding gift!
Claire: My father never forgave debts, Eleanor. He just waited for the right time to collect.
Eleanor stood up, her face pale, grabbing her pearls with a desperate hand.
Eleanor: You trap us... you married my son just to destroy us?
Claire: I married Richard because I thought he loved me. I stayed because I realized he was a monster. But tonight, he made the mistake of showing everyone who he really is.
Marcus: Mrs. Sterling, you have until nine o'clock tomorrow morning to vacate this property. The court has granted exclusive occupancy to Claire.
Eleanor: This is my home! You can't kick me out into the street!
Claire: You can stay in a hotel, Eleanor. Use Richard's credit card... oh wait, those are frozen now too.
Eleanor: You cold-hearted, vindictive little girl...
Claire: The police are waiting to escort you out, Eleanor. Don't make them use force like Richard did.
Eleanor looked around the room, realizing for the first time that no one was coming to save her family. She grabbed her designer purse, gave Claire a look of pure hatred, and walked out into the rainy night.
Marcus: That was intense, Claire. Are you sure you're ready for what comes next?
Claire: This is just the beginning, Marcus. Call the board members. Tell them we're holding an emergency meeting at eight tomorrow morning.