Victoria shook her head back and forth violently.
Victoria: She is a nobody from the lower town!
Officer Vance: Madam, control your tone immediately.
Charlotte: Tell her why my name is on that card.
Officer Vance cleared his throat and looked at the crowd.
Officer Vance: This gala was organized to honor the late Admiral Vale.
Victoria went pale as snow in a single second.
Victoria: The Admiral had no living relatives.
Charlotte: My mother was his legal wife before you hid his will.
Gasps echoed across the grand ballroom once again.
Victoria: That is a disgusting lie!
Charlotte: We filed the estate paperwork with the county court yesterday.
Officer Vance turned the golden invitation card over in his hands.
Officer Vance: Miss Vale holds the full power of attorney today.
Victoria clutched her pearl necklace with trembling fingers.
Victoria: I built this estate and charity fund myself!
Charlotte: You used my father's fortune after he passed away.
Victoria: You cannot prove any of this!
Charlotte pulled a folded document from her bag.
Charlotte: Here is the original marriage certificate from twenty years ago.
Officer Vance took the paper and reviewed the official seal.
Officer Vance: This signature is authentic and verified.
Victoria: This is a nightmare!
Charlotte: The nightmare is over for my family.
Guests began whispering to one another in total disbelief.
Victoria looked around the room for support from her friends.
Every single person turned their face away from her.
Officer Vance: You need to step aside, Victoria.