Chapter 7 - The Arrest of Patricia and CassandraBeside him, Patricia Albright attempted to slip away through the crowd, covering her face with her mink stole.
"Not so fast, Mrs. Albright," two female LAPD officers barked, stepping directly into her path.
"I am Patricia Albright!" she shrieked, striking out at the officers with her designer handbag. "My grandfather built the Beverly Hills Country Club! You can't touch me! I have high-blood pressure!"
"You have the right to remain silent, ma'am," the officer replied coldly, twisting Patricia's arms behind her back and snapping the steel cuffs onto her wrinkled wrists. "You are being charged with corporate embezzlement, obstruction of justice, and accessory to child endangerment."
Patricia sobbed hysterically as the officers dragged her toward the exit, her mink stole dragging through the spilled champagne on the floor.
Meanwhile, two FBI agents stepped up to Cassandra, who was frantically trying to wipe the red wine stains off her dress.
"Cassandra Jenkins?" the lead FBI agent asked.
Cassandra froze, her eyes widening in terror. "No! My name is Cassandra Vance! I'm an heiress from Chicago!"
"Your fingerprints match two outstanding warrants for felony extortion and identity theft in Las Vegas," the agent replied, clicking a pair of cuffs around her wrists as well. "You're coming with us."
Cassandra burst into tears, her heavy mascara running down her cheeks in black streaks. "Spencer! Help me! You said you would protect me!"
Spencer couldn't even look at her. He was being pushed down the red carpet by Detective Miller, his tuxedo torn, his hair disheveled, and his face covered in cold sweat.
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The entire ballroom filmed the scene on their phones. Hundreds of news reporters shouted questions as the three of them were paraded out of the Grand Pinnacle Gala in handcuffs.
Gwen stood at the top of the red carpet steps, her father by her side, watching silently as the police cruisers sped away into the Los Angeles night with their sirens blaring.
