Julian: Clara, listen to me! The merger with Sterling Logistics is going to double our net worth! I did it to secure our future!
Clara: You did it because you were broke, Julian. You lost twenty million dollars in foreign exchange trading three months ago, and you were desperate to hide it from the board of directors.
Julian: Who told you that?! Who gave you access to those trading accounts?!
Clara: You left your private key unlocked on the home office server last night. Did you really think I wouldn't check after I saw the liquidation notices in the mail?
Lily looked up from Clara's dress, wiping her wet cheeks with her small sleeves. She looked at her father kneeling on the floor, her voice tiny and cracking.
Lily: Daddy... why were you mean to Mommy?
Julian: Lily, sweetie, Daddy didn't mean it! Mommy is misunderstanding everything! Come to Daddy, please!
Lily: No! I want to stay with Mommy! You made Mommy cry!
Julian: Lily, please!
Julian lunged forward to grab Lily's hand, but before his fingers could touch the girl's pink dress, two massive security guards stepped into his path. They wore dark grey suits and silver badges pinned to their lapels, standing like brick walls between Julian and his family.
Head Guard: Step back, Mr. Vance. Do not make another move toward the child.
Julian: Get out of my way! I pay your salaries! This is my venue!
Head Guard: You don't pay us, sir. Mrs. Vance hired private security for this event six hours ago. Our instructions are to keep you at a minimum distance of twenty feet from her and her daughter.
Julian: Clara! You brought private guards to my charity gala?!
Clara: I brought them because I knew how you would react when you realized your games were over.
Clara adjusted the emerald silk sash around her waist, standing taller than ever. The dark red mark on her cheek was still visible under the bright ballroom lights, but her expression held no weakness, no hesitation, and no fear.
Clara: You thought I was just a quiet wife who stayed at home and took care of the house. You thought because I didn't sit in the boardroom meetings, I didn't know how my father's business operated.
Julian: You don't know anything about corporate law! You're an art history major!
Clara: My father taught me everything about Vance Logistics before he gave you his blessing, Julian. He taught me how to read balance sheets, how to track shell companies, and how to spot a liar.
Julian: Your father trusted me with his life's work!
Clara: My father trusted you to love his daughter and protect his grandchild! You betrayed him, you betrayed me, and today you proved you are a danger to our child!
The crowd of guests broke into hushed applause. Several board members pushed their way to the front of the circle, standing right behind Clara to show their support.
Board Member 1: She's right, Julian. We received the audit report thirty minutes ago. The board has already convened an emergency virtual session in the library upstairs.
Julian: Arthur... please! You've been my business partner for ten years!
Board Member 1: And for ten years, I thought you were an honorable man. But stealing from a child's trust fund and striking your wife in public? You are stripped of your CEO title effective immediately.