Outside the front gates of the grand estate, two police cruisers pulled up, their red and blue lights flashing against the stone walls.
A tall detective in a grey suit stepped out of the lead vehicle and walked briskly up the driveway toward the front doors.
Inside the foyer, Eleanor was desperately trying to shove gold jewelry and bundles of cash into a leather travel bag.
Eleanor: Out of my way, Julian! Move aside!
Julian: You aren't going anywhere, Eleanor.
Eleanor: I built this estate with your father! I deserve every penny in this bag!
The front doors opened, and Detective Harris walked into the high-ceilinged foyer with two uniformed officers behind him.
Detective Harris: Eleanor Montgomery?
Eleanor froze, the leather bag slipping from her hands and heavy gold necklaces spilling out across the floor.
Eleanor: Detective... this is a private family dispute! My stepson is making false allegations!
Detective Harris: Ma'am, we have a warrant for your arrest issued by the State Superior Court. Embezzlement, grand larceny, and corporate forgery.
Eleanor: No! You can't touch me! I am Eleanor Montgomery!
The two officers stepped forward, pulling her hands behind her back and snapping cold metal handcuffs around her wrists.
Eleanor: Julian! Stop them! Tell them it was a mistake!
Julian: The only mistake was letting you live in this house for as long as you did.
Eleanor: You traitorous little fool! She is nothing! She's a servant's child!
Victoria walked slowly down the marble staircase, wearing a clean, soft woolen sweater and jeans that Julian had ordered for her.
She stood next to Julian, looking down at the handcuffed woman who had tormented her for months.
Victoria: Goodbye, Eleanor.
Eleanor: I hate you! I hate both of you!
The officers guided the screaming woman out the front doors, shoving her into the back seat of the police cruiser as the news media vans began arriving at the gate.
Julian turned to Victoria, offering his arm to her.
Julian: Let's get you out of this foyer. You need some real food and rest.
Victoria: I still can't believe she's really gone...
Julian: She's never coming back, Victoria. This is your home now. Truly.
They walked into the sunlit garden room, where a fresh spread of fruits, warm pastries, and tea was laid out on the glass table.
Victoria sat down in a soft cushioned chair, taking a sip of warm tea as she looked out over the green lawn.
Victoria: What happens to the estate now?
Julian: We divide everything fifty-fifty, just as father intended in his true will. The foundation, the property, and the company shares.
Victoria: I don't know how to run a company, Julian.
Julian: You don't have to run it alone. We'll do it together. And first, we're going to turn the lower wing of this mansion into a shelter for single mothers in need.
Victoria looked at him, her eyes shining with warmth and appreciation.
Victoria: My mother would have loved that idea so much.
Julian: Then that's exactly what we're going to do.