Victoria: You're... you're pushing me too far, Richard.
Richard: I am setting a boundary. Five seconds, Victoria. Five, four...
Victoria: Fine! Stop counting!
Victoria turned slowly toward Hannah. Her posture had completely collapsed. The arrogant posture was gone, replaced by deep embarrassment as every staff member watched her humiliated face.
Victoria: I... I am sorry, Hannah.
Richard: Say it like you mean it. Explain what you are sorry for.
Victoria: I am sorry for slapping you. And... and for lying about the bracelet.
Hannah: Thank you, Mrs. Sterling. But an apology doesn't fix the fact that you tried to ruin my life and put me in prison.
Victoria: I didn't think it would go that far!
Hannah: You knew exactly what would happen to me if the police were involved! My mother would have been left without her care, and I would have had a criminal record!
Victoria: What do you want from me, then?
Hannah: I want you to pay for my mother's remaining medical treatment in full. Out of your personal account, not Mr. Sterling's business account.
Victoria: That's tens of thousands of dollars!
Richard: Consider it a settlement for avoiding a personal injury lawsuit and criminal charges. Pay it, Victoria.
Victoria: ...Fine. I'll write the check today.
Richard: Good. Now go upstairs to the guest room. You will be staying there until we decide how to handle our marriage moving forward.
Victoria: The guest room? This is my master suite!
Richard: Not tonight it isn't. Move.
Victoria bit her lip hard, holding back tears of rage and shame. She turned on her high heels and hurried up the grand staircase, her quiet footsteps fading down the long hallway above.
Leo: Are you okay, Hannah?
Hannah: I am now, Leo. Thank you so much for standing up for me. You were so brave.
Leo: I just told the truth. Nobody should get away with lying like that.
Richard: He's right. And I am deeply sorry that you had to endure that, Hannah. My family owes you a huge debt.
Hannah: Thank you, Mr. Sterling. That promotion and the help with my mother's bills... it changes everything for my family.
Richard: You earned it through your hard work and integrity. Now, why don't you take the rest of the week off with full pay to rest and recover?
Hannah: Are you sure, sir?
Richard: Absolutely. We will handle things here. Go home to your mother.
Hannah: Thank you so much.
Hannah smiled through her remaining tears, feeling a warm sense of relief wash over her. She looked at young Leo, who gave her a cheerful thumbs-up before walking beside his father toward the living room.
Leo: Dad? Can Hannah stay our estate manager forever?
Richard: As long as she wants to, son. As long as she wants to.