Chloe backed away toward the front doors, holding her hands behind her back as if trying to hide the diamond.
Chloe: You people are insane! I'm going to call my lawyer! I'm going to sue this entire hotel chain!
Victoria: Go ahead. My legal firm handles hundreds of breach-of-contract lawsuits every year. We'd love another file.
Brandon: Chloe, just give them the ring! Don't make it worse!
Chloe: You coward! You stood here and watched her slap me! You slapped me yourself!
Brandon: Because you were about to destroy my entire life!
The head security guard stepped toward Chloe and held out his gloved hand calmly.
Head Guard: The ring, ma'am. Now.
Chloe pulled the ring off her finger with trembling hands and threw it onto the marble floor at Victoria's feet.
Chloe: Keep your stupid ring! You're all crazy!
She turned on her high heels and stormed out through the glass sliding doors, her wet gown trailing behind her as guests whispered and laughed in the background.
Victoria didn't even glance at the ring on the floor. She pointed down at it with her handbag.
Victoria: Put that in evidence bag number one for the fraud report, Head Guard.
Head Guard: Right away, Ms. Sterling.
Brandon: Ms. Sterling... please, can we talk in your private suite? I can explain the financial transfers!
Victoria: You will explain them to Arthur Vance and the grand jury, Brandon. March upstairs.
The two guards escorted Brandon away down the carpeted hallway, leaving Victoria standing in the center of the grand lobby.
A few moments later, a tall gentleman in a dark grey suit walked out of the executive elevator, holding a leather folder under his arm.
Arthur: Ms. Sterling. I came down as fast as I could when I got your emergency ping.
Victoria: You're just in time, Arthur. Our general manager was using the corporate credit line as his personal engagement piggy bank.
Arthur opened his folder, flipping through several printed pages of audit reports.
Arthur: I suspected as much. Over the last three months, over four hundred thousand dollars was moved from the resort maintenance account into private vendor accounts.
Victoria: Did he have an accomplice inside the accounting department?
Arthur: We're checking the digital signatures right now. It looks like he was funneling money to pay off personal credit card debts and buy luxury gifts for his new fiancée.
Victoria: I want every account frozen by noon. Every property lease he signed needs to be reviewed immediately.
Arthur: Considered it done. Should I also notify the local district attorney regarding the corporate embezzlement charges?
Victoria: Yes. He made his choice the moment he brought that corrupt behavior into my hotel.
Victoria walked toward the private elevator, her coat swaying gently as she moved.
Arthur: Ms. Sterling, what about the charity gala scheduled in the main ballroom tonight?
Victoria: The gala goes on as planned. But I will be overseeing the operations personally tonight. No more useless managers taking advantage of this company.
Arthur nodded respectfully as the elevator doors opened before them.
Arthur: Right away, ma'am. I'll have the legal documents prepared for your signature in thirty minutes.