A tall man in a navy blue tailored suit walked into the ballroom, holding a thick black leather briefcase. Beside him walked two men in crisp charcoal suits, carrying sealed legal folders.
Mr. Vance: "Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. I apologize for the interruption, but official legal business cannot wait."
Beatrice: "David Vance? You're Arthur's personal attorney... what are you doing here? You were dismissed from the estate team four months ago!"
Mr. Vance: "I was dismissed by you, Mrs. Sterling. But I was retained by your late son, Arthur Sterling, to execute his primary living trust upon his death."
Richard: "We already probated the will! The court accepted the 2022 draft!"
Mr. Vance: "The court accepted a draft because you withheld the 2026 amendment, Mr. Sterling. An amendment that was registered in the state registry and held in escrow until tonight."
Evelyn picked Lily up into her arms, standing firm on the checkered marble floor as the attorney approached her with a respectful nod.
Evelyn: "Thank you for coming, David."
Mr. Vance: "I am always at your service, Mrs. Sterling. Are you and Lily alright?"
Evelyn: "We will be. Once this trash is cleared out of our house."
Richard: "This is a setup! This is a scam! Mother, call our attorneys right now!"
Beatrice: "David, you know very well that Arthur's fortune was built by the Sterling family bloodline! This woman was married to him for barely three years!"
Mr. Vance: "And during those three years, Mrs. Sterling was named the sole primary beneficiary of fifty-one percent of all voting shares in Sterling Global Logistics."
Richard: "Fifty-one percent?! That's impossible! Arthur would never leave control of the company to a woman who doesn't even have a college degree!"
Mr. Vance: "Arthur knew his wife was honest, Mr. Sterling. Something he couldn't say about his own brother."
Evelyn: "Show them the court order, David."
Mr. Vance unzipped his briefcase and pulled out a stack of stamped legal documents, extending them toward Richard.
Mr. Vance: "This is an emergency injunction issued by the Dallas County District Court two hours ago. It freezes all executive authority previously granted to Richard Sterling, pending an immediate forensic audit of the company books."
Richard: "Forensic audit?! On whose authority?!"
Evelyn: "On my authority as the majority shareholder. And as the head of the Sterling family."
Beatrice: "You are not the head of this family! You are an outsider! You brought nothing into this marriage!"
Evelyn: "I brought honesty, Beatrice. Something your family lost a long time ago."
Richard: "I'm not stepping down! You can't force me out of my own company!"
Mr. Vance: "Actually, Mr. Sterling, Mrs. Sterling has already voted her shares. Effective five minutes ago, you are terminated from your position as Chief Executive Officer."
Richard: "Terminated?! You can't fire me!"
Evelyn: "You're fired, Richard. And you have thirty seconds to leave this ballroom before I have security escort you out for trespassing."
Richard: "You bitch!"
Richard lunged forward toward Evelyn, his face twisted in rage, but Mr. Vance's two assistants instantly stepped into his path, blocking him with firm shoulders.