Victoria: Brandon! Tell them to stop! You can't let them take your mother away in handcuffs! Think of the press!
Brandon: I am thinking of the press, Mother. Tomorrow morning, every newspaper in the city will know exactly what kind of person you really are.
Victoria: Lucia, please! Tell him to stop! You're a mother now too! Have some mercy!
Lucia walked up to Victoria, looking her directly in the eyes without a single trace of fear left in her expression.
Lucia: You showed me no mercy when I begged you on my knees to let me keep my home, Victoria. You told me I was trash. Now, you get to see what happens when the truth comes to light.
Victoria: You ruined everything! You wretched girl!
The officers pulled Victoria away, her high heels dragging against the marble floor as she screamed and cried, being led out of her own gala toward the waiting police cruiser outside.
The ballroom remained in tense silence for a moment before Brandon turned to face the remaining board members and investors.
Brandon: Ladies and gentlemen, the gala is over. But I assure you, Vance Enterprises is stronger than ever. My wife and I will be restructuring our corporate charity to focus on funding housing and healthcare for vulnerable mothers across this city.
The board members began to clap, slowly at first, until the entire room erupted into loud applause, showing their full support for the young couple.
Brandon turned to Lucia, wrapping his arm gently around her waist and kissing her forehead.
Brandon: Let's go home, sweetheart. The real home I bought for us away from this place.
Lucia: Is it quiet, Brandon? Does it have a garden?
Brandon: It has the biggest garden you've ever seen, with a nursery right next to our bedroom, filled with sunlight.
Tears of happiness filled Lucia's eyes as she leaned her head against her husband's shoulder, feeling truly safe for the first time in six long months.