Assistant Thomas stepped forward once more, pulling a second, red-stamped folder from his leather briefcase and handing it directly to Clara.
Clara opened the folder under the warm chandelier light, holding it up so the board members could see the top page.
Clara: This is the family trust covenant drafted by my late father five years ago.
Eleanor: What covenant? Arthur never told me about a secondary covenant!
Clara: He didn't tell you because he knew you and Julian would try to sell off the corporate real estate division the moment he passed away.
Julian: Clara, we were trying to save the company from debt!
Clara: You were trying to fund Victoria’s father’s failing logistics firm in New York!
Victoria gasped, taking another step back as her face turned completely white under her heavy makeup.
Victoria: My father's firm is completely stable!
Clara: Your father’s firm was placed under federal receivership three hours ago, Victoria. I bought their remaining corporate debt at nine o'clock this morning.
Victoria: You... you bought my father's debt?!
Clara: I own your father's business, Victoria. I own this mansion. And I own every single piece of land this estate sits on.
Julian: Clara, please! What about my allowance? What about my seat on the board?
Clara: Thomas, read Clause Twelve of the Master Covenant aloud for my brother and his mother.
Assistant Thomas cleared his throat, reading from the red-stamped paper in a clear, authoritative voice that echoed across the silent ballroom.
Assistant: Clause Twelve: Any family beneficiary who engages in physical assault, destruction of personal property, or gross public humiliation against the primary trustee forfeits all monthly trust allowances, estate residence rights, and corporate voting proxies permanently.
Eleanor: Permanently?! That's a trap! That clause is completely unconstitutional!
Clara: It’s a morality clause, Eleanor. And your son and his fiancée failed it within five minutes of my arrival.
Julian: Victoria! You tore her dress! You ruined everything!
Victoria: Julian! Don't blame me! You screamed at her too! You told her she didn't belong here!
Julian: Because you told me she was a street rat! You set me up!
Victoria: You coward! You promised me we were going to run this empire together!
Julian: I can't run a lemonade stand if Clara freezes my trust allowance!
Julian fell to his knees on the white marble floor, grabbing the hem of Clara’s ruined white gown with shaking hands.
Julian: Clara, please! Have mercy on me! I am your half-brother! I was manipulated by Victoria!
Clara: Get off your knees, Julian. You look pathetic.