Justice in the Foyer

Victoria's arrogant composure completely disintegrated, her face turning pale as ashes as she struggled against Vince's hold on the floor.

Victoria: Vince, please! Think of our history! We built this firm together from nothing!

Vince: You didn't build anything. Clara and I wrote every single line of code in our two-bedroom rental while you were partying on trust-fund checks in Miami.

Victoria: I will sign over all my company stock to you! Every share! Millions of dollars, Vince! You can take it all without a lawsuit!

Vince: You are going straight to federal prison, Victoria.

Vince hoisted her up by the elbow, dragging her across the expansive white marble foyer toward the massive double mahogany doors.

Victoria: Get your filthy hands off me! I have high-priced lawyers on retainer! I'll be out on bail before the evening news airs!

Vince: Kidnapping, attempted murder, and corporate wire fraud carry no bail in this district, especially when the federal prosecutor is Clara's brother.

Victoria's eyes went wide with pure terror as that reality crashed down on her.

Victoria: Marcus? Marcus is leading the regional office now?

Vince: He took the oath last month. And he's been waiting for the exact piece of evidence Chloe just handed us.

Vince reached out and grabbed the brass handles, throwing the heavy double front doors open in one swift motion.

Standing in the bright natural daylight of the penthouse corridor were two armed, uniformed Texas state troopers, handcuffs already unhooked and gleaming in their hands.

Trooper Jackson: Mr. Vince Sterling?

Vince: Yes, officer. Here is Victoria Vance. The stolen assets, forged trust documents, and the cabin keys are on the console table inside.

Trooper Jackson: Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for first-degree kidnapping, conspiracy to commit murder, and grand larceny.

Victoria: This is a misunderstanding! I want my attorney! Don't put those metal cuffs on my wrists!

Trooper Jackson grabbed her wrists with practiced efficiency, snapping the cold steel cuffs behind her back with a loud, crisp metallic click.

Vince: Never step foot in Texas again once your sentence is served.

Victoria: Vince, you will regret this! You hear me? Your family will pay for humiliating me!

Trooper Jackson: Keep moving, ma'am. Watch your head as you enter the elevator.

The elevator doors chimed and slid shut, carrying Victoria and the troopers down toward the waiting cruisers on the street below.

Vince stood in the open doorway, letting the cool Texas breeze wash through the penthouse foyer for the first time in over a year.

He turned back to see Chloe standing beside the marble table, holding her mother's diamond necklace pressed against her heart.

Chloe: Are we going to see Mommy now, Daddy?

Vince: Pack your favorite coat, sweetheart. We're flying down to Austin right this second.