Inside the black sedan sat an elderly woman with sharp blue eyes, wearing an expensive pearl necklace and a tailored dark grey suit. It was Victoria Sterling, Marcus's mother and the matriarch of the Sterling family.
Victoria: Evelyn.
Evelyn stopped on the sidewalk, putting Leo behind her back defensively.
Evelyn: Victoria. I see you haven't been arrested yet.
Victoria: Don't speak to me with such insolence, girl. My lawyers are already handling my husband's and son's bail applications.
Attorney Vance: Mrs. Sterling, I advise you not to approach my client. There is an active restraining order against all members of the Sterling family.
Victoria: Quiet, Vance. I am talking to the girl who thinks she just won a war.
Victoria opened the car door and stepped out onto the sidewalk, leaning lightly on a silver-headed cane.
Victoria: You think putting my son in handcuffs makes you victorious, Evelyn? You have no idea what resources I have left.
Evelyn: You have nothing left, Victoria. Your husband is in federal custody, your son is facing ten years in prison, and your family's accounts are frozen.
Victoria: Money comes and goes, child. But power remains. That boy carries Sterling blood. I will spend every last breath in my body making sure he returns to where he belongs.
Evelyn: You tried that three years ago when you took my job, kicked me out of my apartment, and bought off a corrupt judge. Look where it got you.
Victoria: You were lucky today.
Evelyn: It wasn't luck, Victoria. It was justice. And if you take one step closer to my son, I will personally hand the district attorney the records of your offshore art smuggling operations.
Victoria's expression hardened. Her hand tightened on the silver handle of her cane.
Victoria: You... you wouldn't dare.
Evelyn: Try me. I lost my fear of your family the moment your son slapped me on that airport floor. I have nothing left to hide, but you have everything to lose.
Victoria stared at Evelyn for a long, silent moment. For the first time in her life, the powerful matriarch looked uncertain.
Victoria: Drive me to the legal office. Now.
Victoria turned around, climbed back into the rear seat of the sedan, and slammed the door. The black car sped away into the city traffic.
Attorney Vance: That was brave, Evelyn. But she's dangerous when backed into a corner.
Evelyn: Let her try. I'm not the helpless girl she threw out three years ago.