Evelyn: Get your filthy hands off me! Do you know who I am?!
State Trooper: Ma'am, stop resisting or you will be charged with obstruction of justice as well.
Metal handcuffs clicked tightly around Evelyn's wrists as she squirmed in outrage. The paramedics carefully lifted Clara onto the stretcher, stabilizing her leg with a protective brace.
Clara: Dad... don't leave my side, please.
Arthur: I'm coming with you in the ambulance, sweetheart. Lily, hold my hand.
David: General! You can't do this! Who is going to manage the firm's assets tomorrow morning?!
Arthur: Nobody in your family, David. As of twenty minutes ago, the Department of Defense suspended all government contracts with Vance Financial Group.
David: What?! Those contracts account for eighty percent of our revenue!
Arthur: Then I suggest you start filing for bankruptcy from your jail cell.
David gasped as the state troopers pulled his arms behind his back, snapping the cold steel cuffs onto his wrists.
David: You're abusing your power! I'll hire the best defense attorney in the state!
Arthur: Hire whoever you want. But every dime you intend to pay them with has already been frozen by court order.
Evelyn: David! Do something! Don't let them take us out like common criminals!
David: Shut up, Mother! You're the one who told me to sign those transfer deeds!
Evelyn: You coward! You blame your own mother after I tried to protect your inheritance?!
The two troopers dragged the arguing mother and son out onto the driveway, where neighborhood cameras and curious onlookers were already gathering to film their public disgrace.
Arthur stood on the porch, watching them get shoved into the back of separate police cruisers. He turned to Captain Rogers, who stood nearby holding a secure tablet.
Arthur: Rogers, have our legal team file for emergency sole custody of Lily immediately. I want David's parental rights terminated before the week is over.
Captain Rogers: The paperwork is already drawn up, General. Judge Miller is waiting at the courthouse to sign the emergency order.
Arthur: What about the house?
Captain Rogers: The deed fraud investigation has already invalidated the transfer. The residence remains entirely in Mrs. Clara Vance's name.
Arthur: Good. Change the locks today. Put two armed guards at the gate.
Arthur walked down the steps to the ambulance, where Clara was being secured inside. He climbed into the back beside her, taking her cold hand in his while Lily sat comfortably on his lap.
Clara: I was so scared, Dad. He told me no one would ever believe me over him.
Arthur: An arrogant fool like David always forgets one simple truth, Clara.
Clara: What truth?
Arthur: A coward only acts brave when he thinks no one is watching. But justice always finds its way home.