Federal Marshal: Arthur Vance and Eleanor Hayes? You are both under arrest for federal wire fraud and conspiracy.
Arthur: There's been a massive clerical error! Check my political donations—I'm a state trustee!
Federal Marshal: Your political patrons dropped you the moment our indictment hit the wire service.
Eleanor: You cannot touch me! Do you know who my husband's brother is?!
Federal Marshal: A federal inmate in cell block four. You'll be rooming near him shortly.
The heavy steel handcuffs snapped onto Eleanor's wrists with a sharp, metallic ring that echoed off the crystal chandeliers.
Eleanor: Get these filthy cuffs off me! Do you know how much this designer suit cost?!
Federal Marshal: Orange jumpsuits are significantly cheaper, ma'am. Let's move.
Arthur didn't even bother resisting as the second pair of handcuffs locked around his trembling wrists, his head hanging low in utter defeat.
Arthur: Sarah... please. Just tell them we can settle this out of court.
Sarah: The only place you're settling is a federal penitentiary cell, Arthur.
Eleanor: You haven't won! I'll appeal from behind bars until the day I die!
Sarah: Die knowing you lost everything you stole. That's my final gift to you.
The marshals hauled the disgraced pair away through the center aisle, their expensive shoes dragging across the polished floorboards.
Guest: Good riddance. They brought this total destruction entirely upon themselves.
Marcus: Shall I clear out the remaining guests and secure the building, Sarah?
Sarah: Please do, Marcus. The real work of rebuilding Mercer Holdings starts tomorrow morning.
Marcus: The board of directors is already waiting in the boardroom to ratify your emergency chairperson appointment.
Sarah: Good. Let them know I expect complete financial transparency from this second forward.
Sarah adjusted the collar of her green dress, feeling an immense, suffocating weight lift from her shoulders for the first time in five years[cite: 1].
Marcus: You handled that with absolute perfection, Sarah. Your father would be so proud.
Sarah: He's finally resting in peace, Marcus. And that's all that ever truly mattered.
The ballroom emptied rapidly as the terrified socialites fled into the night, leaving Sarah standing alone under the brilliant crystal lights.