Nathan: You can't do this to me! I'm the CEO of Vance Enterprises!
Agent Miller: You're a federal inmate now, son. Turn around.
The metal cuffs clicked shut around Nathan's wrists with a cold, sharp snap that echoed across the silent room.
Nathan: Clara! Please! Talk to your father! I loved you once! We were going to get married!
Clara: You never loved me, Nathan. You loved my family's forty-million-dollar trust fund and the power it gave you.
Nathan: I can give it all back! We can restart the company together!
Clara: I don't need to restart anything with you. My father and I already purchased the remaining shares of your family's firm this morning.
Nathan stared at her in total disbelief, his eyes wide with pure horror as the full reality of his situation set in.
Nathan: You... you bought Vance Enterprises...?
Arthur: For ten cents on the dollar at the court auction, Nathan. It was a very good deal.
Nathan: No... no! That company belongs to my family legacy!
Arthur: Not anymore. Tomorrow morning, the name on the front of the building changes to Sterling and Sterling Health Systems.
The federal agents grabbed Nathan's arms, dragging him down the long red carpet toward the grand double doors of the ballroom.
Nathan: Clara! You ruined my life! I'll come back for you! I swear I'll come back!
Clara: You'll be seventy years old when you get out of federal prison, Nathan. Enjoy your time inside.
The crowd of high-society guests watched in absolute awe as Nathan was pulled out into the cool night air, his high-pitched screams echoing down the hallway until the heavy black doors swung shut behind him.
Arthur turned to the crowd, raising his voice so every guest could hear him under the glittering chandeliers.
Arthur: Ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy the rest of the catering and drinks tonight. All proceeds from this gala will now go directly toward funding legal aid for victims of corporate fraud and domestic abuse.
The entire ballroom erupted into overwhelming applause, guests standing up from their tables to cheer for Clara and Arthur as they stepped down from the main stage.
Guest 3: That was incredible! She handled that monster like a real leader!
Guest 4: The Vance family is completely finished... and she took back everything!
Clara took a deep breath, wiping the small trace of blood from her cheek with a white cloth provided by a hotel paramedic.
Arthur: How are you feeling, sweetheart?
Clara: I feel like I can finally breathe again, Dad.