With Evelyn gone, Carter turned his full attention back to his emotional wife, gently wiping tears off her soft cheeks with his thumb. But before he could speak, a elderly man in a dark navy suit stepped forward from the front row of onlookers. It was Richard Vance, Carter's stern uncle and the senior chairman of the company's executive board of directors. Richard looked furious, his face pale with deep disappointment as he glared at both Carter and Maya with absolute coldness. He had been the primary mastermind behind the forced engagement with Evelyn, hoping to secure control over the family's assets. Richard stepped up onto the lower edge of the raised stage, pointing his wooden walking cane directly at Carter's heart.
Richard: Have you completely lost your mind, Carter?! You just ruined our biggest corporate merger for a simple house maid!
Carter: Watch your tongue, Uncle. You are speaking to the legal co-owner of this entire estate and company.
Richard: Co-owner?! This girl owns nothing! You cannot give away family assets to a commoner without board approval!
Maya: I never wanted your family's money, Mr. Vance. I only ever cared about Carter's health and happiness.
Richard: Silence! You tricked my nephew into a secret marriage, thinking you could steal our inheritance life insurance fund!
Richard reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a thick legal document, waving it angrily in front of the surrounding crowd. He claimed that Carter had violated his legal duties as CEO by secretly marrying an employee without disclosing potential financial conflicts. Richard declared that he would call an emergency board meeting immediately to strip Carter of his voting rights and executive authority. The crowd began whispering nervously again, wondering if Carter's emotional defense of his wife would cost him his entire financial empire. But Carter did not look worried at all; in fact, a faint, confident smile touched the corners of his lips. He took the thick legal document directly out of Richard's hand and tossed it carelessly onto the bright marble floor.
Carter: You're too late, Uncle. I bought out your remaining board shares early this morning.
Richard: What?! That's impossible! You didn't have the liquidity!
Carter: I used my personal trust fund settlement to finalize the purchase three hours ago. You no longer hold any power here.
Richard gasped for air, his face turning completely ghost white as he realized his entire scheme had failed spectactularly in an instant. He had spent years trying to manipulate Carter into a political marriage, only to be completely outmaneuvered behind closed doors. The surrounding guests, realizing the balance of power had shifted permanently, began clapping softly for Carter and Maya's stunning victory. Richard stumbled backward, clutching his chest in bitter defeat before turning around and walking away in complete shame down the hall.