Veronica: Get away from me! Call my father's lawyer!
Agent Miller: Your father was taken into custody twenty minutes ago at his office, Miss Vance.
Agent Miller: Put your hands behind your back.
Veronica: Julian! Help me! You've known my family for twenty years!
Julian turned his back on her, looking away with deep shame and irritation.
Julian: Don't look at me, Veronica. If what Miss Mercer says is true, your entire family is a disgrace.
Veronica: Julian! Please!
Agent Miller snapped the metal handcuffs tightly around Veronica's wrists. She let out a sharp cry of protest as the cold steel bit into her skin.
Agent Miller: You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
Veronica: Clara, please! Tell them to stop! I'll give you back the money! I'll give you everything!
Clara walked up to Veronica, picking up her mother's gold bracelet off the polished wooden floor. She wiped a speck of dust off the sparkling diamonds and slipped it safely into her pocket.
Clara: You can't buy your way out of justice, Veronica.
Clara: You thought wearing a red gown made you untouchable.
Clara: You thought wearing a uniform made me weak.
Clara: You learned the hard way that honor isn't defined by what you wear.
Veronica: You ruined my life!
Clara: No, Veronica. Your arrogance ruined your life. I just brought the light into your darkness.
Agent Miller firmly guided Veronica toward the exit. The high-society guests watched in stunned silence as the former heiress was marched down the grand staircase in handcuffs, her red gown dragging along the dirty floor.
Julian turned toward Clara, offering a deep, respectful bow of his head.
Julian: Miss Mercer... on behalf of everyone here, I apologize for how you were treated tonight.
Julian: If there is anything the Sterling family can do to assist in restoring your father's estate, please let me know.
Clara: Thank you, Mr. Sterling. The federal courts will take care of the rest.
Clara took off her server apron, laying it neatly over the back of a chair. She unbuttoned the cuffs of her light blue shirt and rolled them up slightly, walking toward the grand entrance with her head held high.
Every single person in the ballroom stepped aside to let her pass, looking at her with profound respect.