The second officer stepped toward Victoria, pulling a pair of steel handcuffs from his belt.
Victoria: Don't put those disgusting things on me! Julian! Tell them to stop!
Julian: Take them both away, Officer. My legal team will provide all the digital evidence and financial records within the hour.
The metal handcuffs clicked shut around Victoria's wrists. She began to sob hysterically, her red hair falling across her face as her ruby necklace jingled against her dress.
Victoria: Julian! Please! I love you! You can't let them take me to jail!
Julian: You never loved me, Victoria. You loved my estate, my name, and my money.
Arthur glared at Julian as the officers guided him toward the exit, his jaw set in a bitter, angry line.
Arthur: You think you're so smart, Julian? Without me, this company will crumble in six months!
Julian: I'd rather watch the company crumble to ground level than let a thief like you run it for another day.
The police officers led Arthur and Victoria down the long hallway toward the front entrance of the mansion. Victoria's loud crying slowly faded as the heavy double doors closed behind them.
The hallway fell into a deep, peaceful silence. The low noise of the ballroom guests was the only sound remaining.
Julian took a deep, shaky breath, running a hand through his dark hair. He looked down at his smartwatch, then at Claire, who was still standing quietly near the wall.
Julian: Are you alright, Claire?
Claire: I'm fine, Mr. Vance. Just a little shaken up.
Julian walked over to her, his posture no longer that of a distant, wealthy host, but of a man deeply humbled by the truth.
Julian: Let me see that scratch on your forehead.
Claire: It's just a small scratch. Victoria pushed me against the pantry shelf when I tried to take the ledger away from her.
Julian: She laid hands on you in my house while you were trying to protect me...
Julian reached into his tuxedo jacket and pulled out a clean silk handkerchief, handing it to her gently.
Julian: Please, take this. Put some cold water on it.
Claire: Thank you, Mr. Vance.
Julian: Call me Julian, please. After what you did tonight, calling me 'Mr. Vance' feels wrong.
Claire offered a small, tired smile as she took the handkerchief.
Claire: Alright... Julian.
Julian: I owe you my life, Claire. If you hadn't stepped into this hallway, if you hadn't slapped Victoria and forced me to look at that screen... I would have drank from that glass in front of three hundred people tonight.
Claire: I just did what anyone should have done. I saw something wrong, and I couldn't stay silent.
Julian: Most people in this mansion would have stayed silent to protect their jobs. You showed incredible courage.