Eleanor: What is the meaning of this interruption, Thomas? We are having a trespasser removed!
Assistant: You need to read this file immediately, Madam. It came directly from the federal court registry in Washington.
Eleanor: I don't care where it came from! Throw this girl out first!
Assistant: Madam, please! Open the binder right now!
Eleanor snatched the brown leather document binder from the assistant's hands, letting out an annoyed sigh. She unclasped the brass lock and pulled open the front cover under the bright chandelier lights.
Her eyes scanned down the first page. Within three seconds, the color completely drained from her face. Her hands began to shake so violently that the heavy paper rustled loudly in the silent ballroom. A sharp, gasping breath broke from her throat as her eyes widened in utter horror and panic.
Eleanor: This... this can't be real. Thomas, tell me this is a forgery!
Assistant: It is verified by the Department of Justice, Madam. The seals are live.
Julian stepped beside his mother, his brow furrowed in confusion as he looked over her shoulder at the open binder.
Julian: Mother, what are you talking about? It's just background papers on a nobody!
Eleanor: Julian... look at the biological registry name on page three...
Julian’s eyes landed on the red-stamped text at the top of the official document. His jaw dropped open. His mouth hung agape in complete shock and horror as his face turned as pale as the marble floor beneath his shoes.
A loud, collective gasp went up from the front row of guests who leaned forward to see the official papers. The folder revealed sealed legal documents displaying prominent United States government stamps, official crests, and a master trust fund deed worth over eight hundred million dollars.
Julian: The... the Sterling Master Sovereign Trust? Belonging to Clara Vance Sterling?!
Victoria: What?! Julian, what are you reading?! Who is Clara Vance Sterling?!
Julian: My father’s... my father’s primary biological heir from his first marriage!
The entire ballroom fell dead silent. Nobody moved. Nobody breathed.
Clara slowly pulled the torn fabric of her dress tight around her shoulders. She looked up from behind the open folder, her tear-stained eyes shifting into a look of cold, intense, and unstoppable rage as she stared directly into Julian and Victoria’s terrified faces.
Clara: You think you own me? You have no idea who I really am!