The guests at the far end of the banquet hall began murmuring, several of them pulling out their phones to record the argument.
Evelyn noticed the crowd and quickly smoothed down her formal gown, trying to regain control of the room.
Evelyn: Everyone, please! Return to the catering area! This is just a minor family disagreement!
Mark: No, stay right where you are, everyone! Let's show the whole city what kind of family runs this foundation!
Evelyn: Mark, I am warning you! If you ruin this gala, I will make sure the board revokes your executive position at the firm!
Mark: Revoke my position? Evelyn, I built thirty percent of your firm's commercial real estate portfolio!
Chloe: You built it using my family's seed capital, Mark! You would be nothing without my father's estate!
Mark: Your father's estate was in foreclosure until I restructured his corporate debt six years ago!
Chloe: You arrogant bastard!
Mark: I stayed quiet for two years, Chloe. I thought you were just adjusting to being a stepmother. I thought you were trying.
Chloe: I tried every single day! But she looks just like her mother! Every time I look at her, I see her!
Mark: That is your own insecurity, Chloe! Lily never did a single thing to hurt you!
Chloe: She doesn't call me Mom! She refuses to call me Mom in front of my high-society friends!
Mark: Because you are not her mother! You are a cruel, selfish woman who married me for status!
Evelyn: How dare you insult my daughter in her own home?!
Mark: This mansion is leased under my corporate holding company, Evelyn! Check the property deeds!
Evelyn gasped, looking toward Chloe with wide, panicked eyes.
Evelyn: Chloe... is that true? Is his name on the primary deed?
Chloe: He signed the lease papers last month through his personal trust...
Mark: Which means I have full legal authority to clear this entire house right now.
Evelyn: You wouldn't kick us out during a charity fundraiser! The local media is outside!
Mark: Let the media come inside! Let them take pictures of the broken glass and ask why a seven-year-old was locked in a dark closet!
Chloe: Mark, please... don't do this to my reputation! I am nominated for the city charity board next week!
Mark: Your nomination is over, Chloe. Your marriage is over too.