The sudden sound of the steel doors closing made several people drop their drinks.
Glass shattered across the clean marble floor while murmurs filled the sealed room.
Julian took two long steps toward the front entrance and pulled on the brass handles.
The heavy iron doors did not move even a single inch under his strength.
Julian: What kind of juvenile game are you playing right now, Clara?
Clara: This is no game, and you are not leaving this hall tonight.
Julian: Unlock these doors immediately before I call the local authorities on you.
Clara: Go ahead and dial their number right now on your phone.
Julian reached into his tuxedo jacket pocket and pulled out his shiny cell phone.
He looked at the digital screen and saw zero signal bars displayed in the corner.
Julian: Why does my phone say there is no network connection in here?
Clara: The walls inside this grand hall were built with solid signal blocking layers.
Julian: You planned this whole trap inside my own estate event.
Clara: This estate never belonged to you, no matter what lies you told.
She walked slowly toward him across the wide marble floor with total calm.
Her dark red velvet dress trailed behind her like a banner of quiet victory.
Julian: The board members signed over their shares to me fair and square.
Clara: They signed because you lied about my father's health conditions.
An older businessman in a gray suit stepped forward from the frightened crowd.
Arthur: Is this true, Julian? Did you trick us about Arthur's medical reports?
Julian: Of course not, Arthur, she is just desperate to save her fortune.
Clara: Tell him about the life insurance policy you tried to activate yesterday.
Julian's face grew pale under the warm yellow light of the big chandeliers.
Julian: That document was standard corporate protection for the board members.
Clara: You tried to declare my father legally unfit to handle his own estate.
Julian: He has been absent from every single major meeting this entire year.
Clara: He was recovery safely in a private facility far away from your lies.
Julian: Well, he is not here tonight to stop this transfer of power.
Clara: Look behind you at the top balcony, Julian.
A tall man in a dark navy suit stepped up to the brass railing above.
The elderly man looked strong and healthy as he looked down at the crowd.
Arthur: Good evening, Julian, it seems your little plan has run out of time.
Julian took a step back and stumbled slightly against a round decorative table.
Julian: Arthur... how are you standing up right now without any assistance?
Arthur: You thought your poison was working, but my doctor replaced your pills months ago.
The crowd gasped as Arthur lifted a black master control remote in his hand.
Arthur: Every door, window, and emergency exit in this building is officially locked shut.
Julian: You cannot keep fifty wealthy investors trapped inside this room against their will.
Arthur: The investors are free to leave through the back garden as soon as you surrender.