Chapter 8 - The Gala Trap
Victoria wasn't going to lose a three-billion-dollar fortune to a maid. If she was going down, she was taking Elena with her.
That weekend, the Sterling estate was scheduled to host the annual Innovation Charity Gala. Hundreds of investors, politicians, and media personnel were filling the ballroom. Arthur insisted on staying by Leo's side, but Victoria convinced him to make a brief appearance downstairs to appease the board members.
"Just twenty minutes, Arthur. The investors are getting nervous about your sudden return," Victoria pleaded.
Reluctantly, Arthur went downstairs, leaving Elena alone with Leo in his suite.
Down in the ballroom, Victoria enacted her final, desperate plan. She cornered the Chief of Police, a man who owed his position to Sterling campaign donations.
"Chief," Victoria whispered frantically, pulling him aside. "I need your help. Quietly. We have a domestic worker... she's disturbed. I just found my diamond tiara missing from my safe, and she’s upstairs alone with my disabled stepson. She’s been acting erratically all week. I fear for the boy's life."
The Chief frowned. "We can handle that discretely, Mrs. Sterling. I'll send two of my best officers up through the service elevator."
Upstairs, Elena was helping Leo arrange his puzzle pieces. Suddenly, the door burst open. Two uniformed police officers stormed in, hands resting on their holstered weapons.
"Elena Vance? You need to step away from the child immediately," the lead officer commanded.
"What? Why?" Elena asked, instinctively stepping in front of Leo's chair to shield him.
"You're under arrest for grand larceny and suspected child endangerment. Put your hands behind your back."
Victoria walked in behind the officers, wearing a triumphant, wicked smirk. She was holding a velvet jewelry box. "They found my diamonds in your locker, Elena. I can't believe you would do this to us after we took you in."
Elena realized with sickening dread that Victoria had planted the jewelry to discredit her. If Elena went to jail, Victoria would have sole custody of Leo while Arthur was busy dealing with the PR fallout.
The officers grabbed Elena's wrists, yanking them behind her back to apply the cuffs.
"No!" Elena screamed. "She's lying! She's trying to kill him!"
As they dragged Elena toward the door, a sound pierced the chaos of the room. It wasn't a cry or a whimper. It was a clear, desperate, furious voice.
"STOP IT!"
Everyone froze.
The officers turned. Victoria’s jaw dropped.
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Leo Sterling was clutching the armrests of his wheelchair, his knuckles white, his chest heaving. He stared dead at the police officers.
"She didn't steal anything," Leo shouted, his voice cracking from disuse, but ringing with the absolute authority of a Sterling. "Victoria planted it. Victoria tried to poison me. Elena saved my life!"
