The grand ballroom of the Vance family mansion was filled with the city's highest elite. Massive crystal chandeliers lit up the room, where politicians, billionaires, and corporate board members stood sipping expensive champagne.
At the center of the room stood Victoria Vance, an older woman dressed in a champagne-colored sequined gown, holding court with a group of wealthy investors.
Victoria: Yes, Vance Enterprises is expanding rapidly this quarter! My son Brandon is currently returning from his European tour to finalize the deal.
Investor 1: You must be so proud of him, Victoria. He's turned out to be quite the leader, just like his late father.
Victoria: Oh, absolutely! And now that he's single and focused entirely on his legacy, there's no limit to what our family can achieve!
Suddenly, the heavy oak double doors of the ballroom were thrown open with a loud, resounding thud that rattled the glass windows.
The entire room went dead silent as the crowd turned to look at the entrance.
Brandon walked into the room, looking striking and formidable in his dark suit. But he wasn't alone. Walking beside him, her hand firmly held in his, was Lucia.
She was no longer in her dusty hotel uniform. She wore a stunning, emerald-green silk maternity gown that draped gracefully over her six-month pregnant bump, her hair styled in soft waves, and her eyes shining with quiet confidence.
Victoria: Brandon...? What is the meaning of this? Why are you late to your own gala?
Brandon: I was busy picking up the true mistress of this house, Mother.
Victoria's champagne glass slipped slightly in her hand, her eyes widening in absolute horror as she recognized the young woman standing at her son's side.
Victoria: You... what is THAT girl doing in my house?! Security! Remove this trespasser immediately!
Brandon: Stand down, security! The first guard who steps toward my wife will be fired on the spot and charged with trespassing!
The four estate guards froze in their tracks, looking back and forth nervously between Victoria and the young CEO who paid their salaries.
Investor 2: Wife? Victoria, I thought you said Brandon was unmarried?
Victoria: He... he's confused! This girl is a fraud! A former servant who tried to extort our family months ago!
Lucia: I am no fraud, Victoria. I am Lucia Vance. Brandon's lawful wife, and the mother of the future heir to Vance Enterprises.
Victoria: Shut your mouth, you low-class orphan! You have no right to speak to me or my guests!
Brandon: Do not speak to my wife like that ever again, Victoria.
Brandon stepped forward, pulling a thick leather folder from inside his coat and tossing it forcefully onto the glass table directly in front of his mother. The white legal pages spilled out across the surface, stamped with official red seals.
Victoria: What... what is this trash?
Brandon: That is an emergency forensic audit of the corporate trust fund, along with criminal charges for forgery, illegal eviction, and extortion.