Within seven minutes, the sharp sound of police sirens echoed down the long drive leading up to the mansion. Two marked police cruisers pulled up right outside the front doors, their red and blue lights flashing against the tall stone pillars.
Four uniformed officers strode into the foyer with their hands resting on their sidearms, led by a tall senior captain who knew Ethan personally from local community charity boards.
Captain Vance: Mr. Sterling, we got a priority distress call from your security detail. What happened here?
Ethan stepped back from Victoria, pointing his finger down at her with cold, lethal authority as she cowered on the floor.
Ethan: YOU TRIED TO MUTILATE AN INNOCENT CHILD! YOU WILL ROT IN MAXIMUM SECURITY PRISON FOR THE REST OF YOUR MISERABLE LIFE! OFFICERS, TAKE THIS MONSTER AWAY!
Captain Vance looked down at Victoria, then turned his gaze toward Martha, who was holding the infant out for the officers to inspect. The captain leaned in close and saw the distinct bite mark, the broken skin, and the small smear of dried blood on the child's delicate wrist.
Captain Vance: My God. Officer Davis, get the cuffs on her right now. Call an ambulance to check on this baby immediately.
Victoria: Get your hands off me! Do you know who I am?! I am Victoria Sterling! You cannot treat me like a criminal!
Officer Davis: You have the right to remain silent, ma'am. Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law.
The female officer pulled Victoria's arms behind her back with a loud, cold metallic click of handcuffs. Victoria began to kick and scream as she was hauled up off the marble floor, her beautiful blue diamond gown dragging in dirty folds behind her.
Victoria: Ethan! Tell them to stop! I am sorry! I need help! Ethan, please!
Ethan did not even turn around to look at her as she was dragged out through the heavy double doors. He turned his full attention back to Martha and his son, his eyes softening completely as he reached out his arms.
Ethan: Give him to me, Martha. Come here, my sweet boy.
Martha gently passed the infant into Ethan's strong arms. The baby stopped crying as soon as he felt his father's warm chest, resting his tear-stained cheek against the navy-blue velvet suit jacket.
Martha: He was so scared, Mr. Sterling. I got to him as fast as I could.
Ethan: You saved my son today, Martha. You stood up to a cruel woman when you had everything to lose.