Chloe lifted her chin away from Marcus's shoulder, her eyes locking directly onto Eleanor's furious gaze with absolute composure. Despite the stinging pain on her cheek and the IV tubes taped to her wrist, her expression remained calm and fearless. Low tension hums vibrated from the heart monitor, underscoring the chilling stillness in the young girl's demeanor.
Chloe: I know what you did.
Eleanor: You know nothing, you ungrateful little liar!
Chloe: I know about the offshore accounts in Zurich.
Eleanor: Shut your mouth right now!
Chloe: I know you forged my grandfather's medical POA before he passed away.
Eleanor's face twisted instantly from smug arrogance into a terrifying, enraged scream that rattled the window glass. Piercing shrieches escaped her throat as the mask of high-society elegance completely shattered, revealing the desperate panic underneath. Marcus tightened his grip around Chloe, watching the older woman lose whatever control she had left over her temper.
Eleanor: I'll destroy you! I'll make sure you never see a single dime of the estate!
Marcus: Your estate was frozen by the federal magistrate an hour ago, Eleanor.
Eleanor: That's a lie! My lawyers will appeal before the sun sets!
Marcus: Your lawyers were arrested this morning for conspiracy to commit wire fraud.
Chloe blinked calmly, completely unfazed by the screaming fit echoing off the sterile walls. She reached up with one hand, gently touching her reddened cheek while maintaining eye contact with her stepmother. The complete lack of fear in the young girl's eyes drove Eleanor into an absolute frenzy of blind fury.
Eleanor: Let me go! I'll tear her apart with my bare hands!
Officer Vance: That's quite enough, Mrs. Sterling. You've sealed your own fate today.
Eleanor: You can't touch me! I am the sole trustee of the Sterling Foundation!
Officer Vance: Not anymore, ma'am. Let's take a walk downtown.