At the masked gala, my jealous half-sister ripped my blue gown and sneered, “Cheap fabric for the unwanted daughter.”

Maya Chen walked up to the stage, completely ignoring the horrified stares of the Vale family.

She opened the black folder with a crisp snap.

"During our final phase of due diligence," Maya addressed the room in a clear, authoritative tone, "Mrs. Mercer identified twelve fictitious vendors operating within Vale Hospitality’s supply chain."

Eleanor let out a choked gasp.

Maya didn't pause. "Payments totaling exactly six point four million dollars were manually authorized by Vanessa Vale over the last eighteen months."

"These funds were subsequently transferred through shell companies owned entirely by Eleanor Vale."

"That’s a lie!" Vanessa shrieked, pointing a shaking finger at me. "She fabricated this! She’s trying to frame us because she’s jealous!"

I nodded to one of the forensic accountants.

He walked to the AV control table at the side of the ballroom.

A second later, the massive digital screen behind the stage—which had been displaying the Vale and Mercer logos—flickered.

Bank records appeared in fifty-point font.

They were followed by undeniable signatures, incriminating email chains between Vanessa and offshore bankers, and photographs of empty, abandoned strip mall offices registered as "luxury textile suppliers."

The evidence was absolute. It was undeniable.

Vanessa let out a feral cry and lunged toward the control table, trying to smash the laptop.

Two of Daniel’s security officers intercepted her effortlessly, blocking her path and forcing her back.

I remained perfectly still, watching her unravel.

"You also heavily inflated the renovation costs for the downtown properties," I said, my voice cutting through her hysterics.

"And you submitted those false figures to Mercer Global to secure this expansion contract. In federal terms, Vanessa, that constitutes attempted procurement fraud."

My father’s face drained of all color. He looked like he was going to collapse.

He turned to Vanessa, his voice hollow. "You... you told me those vendors were legitimate. You swore the renovation budget was accurate."

"Because you never checked, Father," I said, offering him no pity.

"You signed whatever she placed before you. Just as you believed every lie she ever told about me. You chose blindness because it was easier than managing your own empire."

Vanessa tore off her jeweled mask and threw it to the floor.

Hatred twisted her beautiful features into something ugly and unrecognizable.

"You planned this!" she screamed, tears of rage ruining her makeup. "You planned this public humiliation! You wanted to destroy me in front of everyone!"

"No," I replied calmly. "I planned a quiet, private investigation. I was going to hand the file to the authorities on Monday. You chose to tear my dress. You chose the ballroom. You brought this upon yourself."

Vanessa looked around wildly.

She finally realized that dozens of guests had their phones raised.

The city's elite were broadcasting her downfall live to the world.

Still, her toxic arrogance flared up one last time.

"You cannot destroy us!" she spat, trembling with fury.