Two county deputies in dark uniforms pushed through the banquet doors, their radios crackling loudly.
Deputy Miller: Mr. Vance? We received the emergency call from your security desk.
Arthur: Officer, thank you for coming quickly. That woman trapped my seven-year-old son in a service chute.
Victoria: This is a misunderstanding! Officer, my father sits on the governor's committee!
Deputy Miller: Ma'am, step away from the table and keep your hands where we can see them.
Victoria: Do not touch me! I am Victoria Vance!
Deputy Miller: Ma'am, turn around and place your hands behind your back.
Victoria: Arthur, tell them to stop! You are ruining my family's reputation forever!
Arthur: You ruined it yourself the second you locked that latch.
Deputy Miller gripped Victoria's wrists and clicked the cold steel handcuffs around her wrists.
A loud metallic snap echoed across the silent room, followed by hushed whispers from the wealthy crowd.
Victoria: Let go of me! You will lose your badge for this, you peasant!
Deputy Miller: You have the right to remain silent, Mrs. Vance. Anything you say can be used against you.
Arthur: Take her through the front doors, deputy. Let everyone see her leave.
Victoria's heels scraped loudly against the white marble as the two deputies walked her toward the foyer.
She twisted her head backward, screaming with rage at the guests who turned their phones toward her.
Victoria: Put those phones down! Arthur, you will regret this! I will take everything you own!
Jonathan: She won't take a single dollar, Arthur. The surveillance file is already secured in my vault.
Arthur: Prepare the emergency custody and restraining order documents tonight, Jonathan.
Jonathan: Already drafting them on my phone. She won't be allowed within one thousand feet of Leo.
Arthur turned away from the door and walked directly toward the private family kitchen.
The heavy oak door swung open to the quiet room, smelling of warm milk and honey.
Leo sat on the tall stool, wrapped in Elena's soft wool sweater, holding a warm mug with both hands.
Arthur: How is my brave boy doing?
Leo: Elena put a band-aid on my scraped elbow, Dad. And she made the milk sweet.
Arthur: Elena, words cannot express what you did tonight.
Elena: Anyone would have pulled him out, Mr. Vance. He was terrified.
Arthur: Victoria wouldn't have. But you did.
Arthur knelt down on the tiled kitchen floor, taking Elena's worn hands into his own.
Arthur: Starting tomorrow morning, you are not wearing that maid uniform anymore.
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