The police car backed down the driveway, its red and blue lights flashing bright against the tall oak trees lining the road.
Richard remained kneeling on the cold stone gravel, looking up at Clara with hollow, empty eyes.
Richard: What happens to me now, Clara?
Clara: You have until noon tomorrow to pack your personal belongings and leave the estate, Richard.
Richard: This is my childhood home! Where am I supposed to live?
Clara: You can find a job, Richard. Just like every other person in this world has to do.
Richard: I don't know how to do anything! I've worked for my father's firm my whole life!
Clara: Then you'd better start learning fast. Because your salary from the holding company was terminated at eight this morning.
Richard reached out, trying to grab the hem of her blue satin dress, but Clara took a clean step backward out of his reach.
Richard: Clara, I love you! I swear I still love you!
Clara: You don't love me, Richard. You loved having someone to control and look down on.
Richard: I'll go to therapy! I'll do whatever you want! Just please don't take everything away from me!
Clara: I'm not taking anything that was yours, Richard. The court verified that every cent in this trust belonged to your father and his business partners.
The driver opened the rear passenger door of the black sedan, bowing his head politely to Clara.
Driver: Everything is packed in the trunk, Mrs. Sterling. We're ready whenever you are.
Clara: Thank you, Thomas.
Clara stepped into the warm interior of the luxury car, setting her leather folder down on the leather seat beside her.
Richard: Clara! Don't leave me like this! Look at me!
Clara looked out the tinted window, her face calm and completely free of pain for the first time in years.
Clara: Drive to the corporate headquarters, Thomas. I have a board meeting to run at two o'clock.
Driver: Yes, Mrs. Sterling.
The luxury sedan pulled smoothly away from the front steps, leaving Richard sitting alone on the gravel driveway in his lavender shirt, covered in dust and tears.
He looked back toward the massive white house, realization crashing down on him like a tidal wave.
The maid he had humiliated, mocked, and tried to break was now the sole owner of everything he had ever known.