Victoria: "Arthur, clear the main stage."
Arthur: "Right away, Ms. Vance."
Arthur quickly motioned to the gala organizers, who hurried to clean up the shattered glass and spilled wine from the middle of the floor. The remaining guests slowly gathered near the front of the stage, eager to align themselves with the new power in the room.
Board Member 1: "Victoria... or rather, Ms. Vance. We had no idea Eleanor was operating without legal authority."
Victoria: "You were on the board, Mr. Davis. It was your job to know."
Board Member 1: "Of course. We will be requesting a full internal audit immediately."
Victoria: "You won't need to request it. My team of auditors is already inside the corporate headquarters."
Victoria stepped up onto the small wooden stage at the front of the ballroom, taking the microphone from the stand. She adjusted her white tuxedo jacket, standing tall, completely calm, with the tiny red scratch on her cheek serving as a reminder of the night's victory.
Victoria: "Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for your patience tonight."
The room fell into absolute silence. Every eye was fixed on her.
Victoria: "The Vance Foundation was created by my father to support working-class families, build affordable housing, and fund public education. Over the past six months, that mission was corrupted by greed."
The crowd broke into light applause, which quickly grew louder as she continued.
Victoria: "Starting tonight, I am taking full control of Vance Enterprises as Chief Executive Officer. Every corrupt board member will be replaced, every stolen dollar will be recovered, and the charity will return to serving this city."
Board Member 2: "Hear, hear!"
Victoria: "Enjoy the rest of your evening. The real work begins tomorrow."
Victoria placed the microphone back onto the stand and stepped off the stage. The room erupted into loud applause and cheers. High-profile investors rushed forward, holding out business cards and asking for meetings, but Victoria simply smiled, moving past them toward the exit.
Assistant Mark: "That was incredible, Victoria. Your car is waiting at the front."
Victoria: "Thank you, Mark. Did the bank confirm the freezing of the accounts?"
Assistant Mark: "Every single one. Eleanor and Chloe don't have a dime left to their names."
Victoria: "Good. Let's go home."
Victoria walked out of the grand venue, the night air cool against her face as she stepped into the back of her black limousine, finally putting an end to the war for her father's legacy.