Arthur stood behind the wooden podium and tapped the glossy silver microphone.
The quiet hum of the speakers echoed through the massive ballroom space.
Every eye in the room was fixed directly on the powerful founder.
Grandfather Arthur: Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending our annual gala.
Grandfather Arthur: Tonight was supposed to celebrate family unity and success.
The guests clapped softly while waiting to hear what he would say next.
Mark took a step forward, looking nervous in his black tuxedo.
Victoria held her head high and smiled widely for the crowd.
Grandfather Arthur: However, true success means nothing without love and respect.
Grandfather Arthur: Earlier tonight, my daughter-in-law showed extreme cruelty to a child.
Victoria's smile disappeared instantly as her face went totally pale.
The guests began to murmur softly among themselves in high anticipation.
Grandfather Arthur: And my son allowed this cruelty to happen without stopping it.
Mark: Dad, please stop talking about this on stage!
Grandfather Arthur: I will not be silent while my family values are destroyed.
Arthur held up a stack of white legal papers in his right hand.
Grandfather Arthur: Mark signed over his daughter's inheritance to this new wife.
Gasps of total shock erupted across the entire ballroom floor at once.
People began pointing fingers at Victoria and making angry comments aloud.
Victoria stepped back into the shadows near the red velvet curtains.
She felt completely exposed and humiliated before all of high society.
Grandfather Arthur: As founder, I am removing Mark from the family business board.
Mark: You cannot take away my position as president, Dad!
Grandfather Arthur: I built this company, Mark, and I can save it today.
Arthur signed the cancellation papers right on top of the podium.
He handed the signed sheets back to his legal adviser David.
The crowd broke out into loud applause for the wise grandfather.
Mark hung his head in complete shame as his authority vanished instantly.
Victoria glared at Mark with pure anger in her sharp green eyes.
She realized that her plan to secure the money had completely failed.