Heavy footsteps echoed down the grand hallway as three uniformed police officers and two child protective services agents strode toward the gathering crowd.
Officer Davis: Who called in the emergency dispatch regarding a trapped minor?
Clara: I did, Officer. Over here.
Officer Davis: My God... look at this wall. What happened here?
Clara: Richard Sterling built a hidden room behind this painting and locked my eight-year-old niece inside it to steal her inheritance.
Richard: Officer, this woman came into my home with an axe and destroyed my property! I want her arrested for trespassing and assault!
Judge Vance: Officer Davis, I am Judge Thomas Vance. I advise you to place Richard Sterling under immediate arrest for child abuse, unlawful imprisonment, and grand felony fraud.
Officer Davis looked at the prominent judge, then at the terrified child holding onto Clara's sequin dress, and finally at the broken wall filled with splintered wood.
Officer Davis: Mr. Sterling, turn around and put your hands behind your back.
Richard: Do you know who I am?! I donate millions to the police department foundation!
Officer Davis: I don't care who you are, sir. You're going to custody. Turn around now.
Another officer stepped forward, pulling Richard's arms behind his back and clicking heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists.
Richard: Clara! Tell them to stop! You're destroying the family name!
Clara: You destroyed this family the day you traded your own daughter and granddaughter for money, Richard.
Richard: I built this estate for all of you! You wouldn't have that sequin dress or your luxury life without my money!
Clara: I don't want your money. And neither does Lily.
Agent Miller: Ma'am, I'm Agent Miller with Child Protective Services. Are you the biological aunt?
Clara: Yes, I am Clara Sterling. Here are my legal identification and custody petition papers.
Clara pulled a sealed manila envelope from her designer purse, handing it to the protective agent.
Agent Miller: You came prepared today, Miss Sterling.
Clara: I promised my sister I would protect her daughter, no matter what it took.
Lily: Aunt Clara, can we go away from this big scary house now?
Clara: Yes, sweetie. We're going home right now.
The police officers led a shouting, humiliated Richard down the bright marble hallway past the rows of horrified black-tie guests, his suit rumpled as he was pushed through the double front doors into the daylight.