Emma: What? She was stealing their wages?
Julian: Maya showed me her payment ledger on her phone. Mother has been charging the temp agency double and pocketing the extra cash in a private account to pay off her personal credit card debts!
Evelyn: That is a complete fabrication! I am the treasurer of the Sterling Foundation!
Julian: Which is exactly why Father left me full power of attorney over the estate accounts before he passed away last year! He knew you were embezzling money!
Emma: Oh, this is getting better by the second. Embezzlement, wage theft, and physical harassment.
Evelyn: Shut up, Emma! You don't know anything about our family finances!
Julian: I know enough to call the estate lawyer right now, Mother. If you don't apologize to Maya and step down from the wedding ceremony, I will freeze your monthly allowance before sunset.
Evelyn: You wouldn't cut off your own mother's allowance! How am I supposed to pay my monthly dues at the club?
Julian: Figure it out yourself. Just like Maya had to figure out how to pay her rent while you stole her hard-earned money!
Chloe stepped out of the bridal suite, dressed in a stunning navy blue silk robe that Emma had provided. Her damp hair was pulled back neatly, revealing her striking resemblance to Emma around her eyes and jawline.
Chloe: Julian, please... don't ruin your wedding over this. I'm just happy I found my sister.
Emma: Maya, stop apologizing for existing! You didn't do anything wrong. She is the one who broke the law and treated people like animals.
Chloe: I've been working three jobs just to keep my small apartment, Emma. When the agency assigned me to this mansion, I didn't even know it was your wedding... I just saw your name on the guest list this morning and brought the photo hoping it was really you.
Emma: You don't have to work three jobs anymore, Maya. You're coming home with us.
Evelyn: Home? She is not moving into the Sterling penthouse!
Julian: The penthouse is under my name, Mother. Not yours. Maya can stay in the guest suite as long as she wants.
Evelyn: This is an outrage! I will tell the entire board about this mutiny!
Julian: Go ahead. Tell them. The board already warned you last month about your unauthorized withdrawals from the charity fund. I'm sure they'd love another update.
Evelyn stood frozen, her face completely pale as she realized she had lost all leverage. She looked at Chloe, then at Emma, and finally at her own son, whose eyes were colder than she had ever seen them before.
Evelyn: You're all going to regret this... every single one of you.
Emma: The only person regretting anything today is you, Evelyn. Now get out of our sight before I have security escort you to your room.
Evelyn turned on her high heels, her dress rustling furiously as she stormed down the long marble corridor toward the guest wing, leaving behind a silence that felt lighter than air.