The grand ballroom at the Dallas Country Club was filled with crystal chandeliers, champagne fountains, and hundreds of high-society guests in tuxedos and evening gowns.
Richard Vance stood at the head podium, raising his champagne glass toward the crowd with a triumphant grin.
Richard: Welcome, distinguished guests! Tonight, we celebrate the absolute pinnacle of Vance Industries!
The crowd applauded loudly, with Victoria sitting right in the front row wearing a dazzling silver dress, her left cheek heavily covered in thick makeup to hide the slap mark.
Richard: In just a few short weeks, our merger with the Sterling Real Estate Empire will be finalized, making us the largest trust in Texas!
Ethan: The merger is canceled, Richard.
A sudden hush fell over the entire ballroom as the heavy oak doors burst open.
Ethan walked down the central aisle, dressed in a sharp charcoal suit, flanked by two uniformed Dallas police officers and his lead corporate attorney, Arthur Vance.
Victoria: Ethan?! What are you doing here?! Security, kick him out!
Richard: Ethan, my boy! What is the meaning of this dramatic entrance? We're in the middle of a speech!
Ethan: The meaning is simple, Richard. Your daughter is a criminal, and your firm is guilty of corporate espionage.
The crowd gasped loudly, people murmuring and pointing as camera flashes began to blink across the room.
Richard: How dare you utter such slander in front of my investors! Leave this hall at once!
Ethan: Arthur, plug the drive into the main AV projector console.
Arthur: Right away, Ethan.
Victoria: No! Stop him! Don't let him touch the projector!
Victoria leaped up from her chair, reaching for Arthur's arm, but Officer Davis stepped in front of her, blocking her path.
Officer Davis: Ma'am, stay right where you are!
The massive eighty-inch screen behind Richard Vance flickered to life, displaying high-definition video footage for the entire ballroom to see.
First played the scene of Victoria sitting at Ethan's desk, photographing secret trust documents and emailing them directly to Richard Vance's personal inbox.
Investor 1: Is that... is she stealing trade secrets from Sterling Estate?
Investor 2: Look at the email address! She sent it directly to Richard's private server!
Richard: This is a fake! An AI deepfake created to ruin my reputation!
Ethan: Is this video a deepfake too, Richard?
The video switched to the ceiling view of the mansion's living room from yesterday afternoon.
The entire ballroom watched in horrified silence as Victoria shoved sixteen-month-old Leo off the piano stool, letting him crash onto the floor while screaming at him.
Gasps of shock and disgust echoed off the high walls of the country club.
Woman in Crowd: She hit a baby?! She shoved a child onto the floor?!
Man in Crowd: Monstrous! That's absolute child abuse!
Victoria's face turned completely red, then ghost white, as she backed away toward the edge of the stage.
Victoria: It... it was a misunderstanding! He was being stubborn!
Officer Davis: Victoria Vance, you are under arrest for felony child endangerment, assault, and corporate theft.
Victoria: Dad! Do something! Don't let them take me!
Richard: Officer, please, we can handle this privately! Name your price, Sterling!
Ethan: There is no price, Richard. Your firm's corporate license has been suspended by the District Attorney as of ten minutes ago.
Richard: You destroyed my company over a domestic dispute?!
Ethan: You tried to steal my father's legacy and let your daughter abuse my son. You destroyed yourself.
Officer Davis clicked the metal handcuffs around Victoria's wrists, pinning her arms behind her silver gown as she sobbed frantically.
Victoria: Ethan, please! I love you! I can change! Please don't do this to me!
Ethan: Take her away.