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MIL Poured Wine On Her—Then Realized She Owns The Firm Closing Their $800M Deal — Transcript

by When Riches Betray · 8,055 words · 1,246 segments · language en · Watch on YouTube

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0:00The silence in the ballroom was louder
0:02than a scream. 500 of New York's elite
0:05froze as the crimson liquid dripped from
0:08Lakota's chin, staining her white silk
0:10blouse like a fresh wound. Victoria
0:13Sterling, the matriarch of high society,
0:16stood holding the empty glass, a sneer
0:18painted on her face. She thought she had
0:21just put a penniles gold digger in her
0:24place. She had no idea that the woman
0:26standing before her, wiping wine from
0:29her eyes, was the anonymous buyer behind
0:32Project Helios, the sole entity capable
0:35of saving Victoria's crumbling empire.
0:38In 30 seconds, Victoria didn't just ruin
0:41a dress, she incinerated an $800 million
0:45lifeline. And the best part, she handed
0:48the match to the one woman she
0:50underestimated.
0:52The chandeliers inside the grand
0:54ballroom of the Pierre Hotel didn't just
0:57sparkle, they judged. Or at least that's
1:00how it felt to anyone who wasn't born
1:02with a trust fund attached to their
1:05umbilical cord. Lakota Vance stood near
1:08the periphery of the room, clutching a
1:10glass of sparkling water. She wore a
1:12simple, elegant cream blouse and black
1:15trousers, an outfit that screamed staff
1:18or assistant to the billionaires
1:21surrounding her, but understated power
1:24to anyone who actually knew business.
1:28But nobody here knew business. They knew
1:31inheritance.
1:32Straighten your back, Lakota. You look
1:35like you're waiting for a bus. The voice
1:37was ice and velvet. Lakota didn't need
1:40to turn around to know it was Victoria
1:42Sterling, her mother-in-law, the woman
1:45who had worn black to Lakota's wedding
1:47two years ago, and spent the reception
1:50telling guests that Liam, her son, was
1:53going through a charitable phase. Good
1:57evening, Victoria, Lakota said, turning
2:00with a practiced polite smile. The gala
2:03looks beautiful. You've outdone
2:05yourself. Victoria was a vision in
2:08emerald taffeta dripping in diamonds
2:10that probably cost more than the GDP of
2:13a small island nation. She looked at
2:15Lakota not with hatred but with
2:18something far worse boredom. It's not
2:21just a gala Lakota. It is a strategic
2:24battlefield. Victoria snapped scanning
2:27the room over Lakota's shoulder. But I
2:30wouldn't expect you to understand the
2:32nuances of high finance. Where is Liam?
2:35I need him to meet with the
2:36representatives from the Helios group.
2:38If we don't close this merger tonight,
2:41the Sterling legacy is vulnerable.
2:45Lakota took a sip of water to hide the
2:48smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
2:51Vulnerable was an understatement. Lakota
2:54knew for a fact because she had read the
2:56due diligence reports on her encrypted
2:59tablet that very morning that Sterling
3:02Enterprises was hemorrhaging cash. They
3:05were overleveraged in commercial real
3:07estate and desperate for a buyout. Liam
3:10is at the bar getting a scotch, Lakota
3:13said softly. And regarding the Helios
3:16group, I heard they are very particular
3:19about leadership ethics. Victoria
3:22laughed a harsh barking sound. Ethics
3:25owe you, sweet, naive girl. This is
3:27business. They care about margins and
3:30assets. I have the assets. I just need
3:33to charm the mysterious CEO, whoever he
3:36is. Rumor has it he's a recluse.
3:39Probably some tech shutin from Silicon
3:41Valley. Or she. Lakota corrected gently.
3:46Victoria rolled her eyes. Don't start
3:48with your feminist rhetoric tonight,
3:50Lakota. I have $800 million on the line.
3:55I need Liam to look like a successor,
3:58not the husband of a freelancer.
4:01Victoria said the word freelancer like
4:03it was a contagious disease. Lakota was
4:06a graphic designer on paper. It was the
4:09perfect cover. It explained why she was
4:12always on her computer, why she had
4:14flexible hours, and why she didn't wear
4:17designer labels. In reality, Lakota
4:20Vance was the founder of EV Capital, a
4:23private equity firm that had quietly
4:25acquired major stakes in logistics tech
4:28and now aimed to acquire distressed
4:31luxury brands. Like Sterling
4:33Enterprises, I'm sure the deal will go
4:36exactly as you deserve, Victoria. Lakota
4:40said her voice laced with a double
4:42meaning that flew right over the older
4:44woman's perfectly quafted head. Just
4:48stay out of the way. Victoria hissed,
4:51leaning in close. When the Helios board
4:54members arrive, Mr. Blackwood and Mr.
4:56Thorne do not speak to them. Go hide in
4:59the kitchen if you must. I cannot have
5:01you embarrassing us with your lack of
5:03pedigree. Lakota watched Victoria sweep
5:07away toward a group of elderly men in
5:09tuxedos.
5:11She's in rare form tonight. A deep voice
5:14whispered in Lakota's ear. Liam slipped
5:17an arm around her waist, kissing her
5:19temple. He looked tired. Being the son
5:22of Victoria Sterling was a full-time job
5:25with no benefits. "She's stressed,"
5:29Lakota said, leaning into him. The
5:32company is in trouble, Liam. I know,
5:35Liam sighed. She won't listen to me. She
5:38thinks she can bully her way out of
5:40debt. She's pinning everything on this
5:42Helios deal. Do you think they'll bite?"
5:45Lakota looked up at her husband. He was
5:48good, kind, and completely unaware that
5:51he was sleeping with the shark circling
5:53his mother's boat. He knew she made good
5:56money investing, but he had no concept
5:59of the scale. She had planned to tell
6:02him tonight after the deal was signed to
6:04save him from the fallout of his
6:06mother's inevitable collapse.
6:09I think Lakota said carefully that the
6:12Helios group is looking for a change in
6:16management. If Victoria can't prove she
6:19can adapt, they might walk away. She'll
6:22never adapt, Liam said, taking a heavy
6:24drink of his scotch. She'd rather burn
6:27the building down than admit she's not
6:29the queen of the ashes.
6:31Across the room, the double doors
6:33opened. The room went quiet. Two men
6:36entered. One was Julian Blackwood, a
6:39sharpjawed attorney known as the grim
6:42reaper of Wall Street. The other was
6:45Marcus Thorne, the public face of EV
6:48Capitals acquisitions. Victoria Sterling
6:50straightened her necklace, pasted on a
6:52dazzling smile, and marched toward them.
6:56The hunt was on. Lakota set her water
6:59glass down. "I'm going to go freshen
7:02up," Lakota told Liam. "Hurry back," he
7:05said. "If she starts yelling at the
7:07waiters, I'm going to need backup."
7:10Lakota walked toward the VIP area, but
7:13she wasn't going to the restroom. She
7:15was going to intercept Marcus Thorne. It
7:18was time to set the stage. The VIP
7:22section was roped off with red velvet
7:25guarded by security, who knew better
7:27than to stop Victoria Sterling, but who
7:30hesitated when Lakota approached.
7:33I'm with the family, Lakota said calmly,
7:37flashing a generic wristband. She
7:40slipped past them just as Victoria was
7:42cornering Marcus Thorne near a display
7:45of ice sculptures. Marcus, a man who had
7:48negotiated billiondoll treaties, looked
7:51like he was desperately searching for an
7:53exit. So, you see, Mister Thorn Sterling
7:56Enterprises is not just a brand. It is a
8:00lifestyle, Victoria was saying,
8:03gesturing wildly with a glass of 1982
8:06Chateau Margo. We don't need oversight.
8:09We need capital. I assume your boss,
8:12this mysterious CEO, understands that I
8:15will remain in full operational control.
8:18Marcus Thorne cleared his throat. He
8:21spotted Lakota approaching from the
8:22shadows of a pillar. His eyes widened
8:25slightly, a micro expression of
8:27recognition, but he quickly masked it.
8:30He knew the protocol Lakota is a ghost
8:33until she chooses to manifest.
8:36Mrs. Sterling Marcus said his voice
8:40smooth. The CEO of EV Capital is very
8:44hands-on. The terms of the acquisition
8:46would require a restructuring of the
8:49board, specifically the removal of
8:51legacy management that has
8:53underperformed.
8:55Victoria's face went pale, then red.
8:58Legacy management. Are you referring to
9:01me? We look at the numbers, ma'am. The
9:04numbers say the brand is stagnant.
9:07The numbers are wrong. Victoria snapped
9:10her voice rising, heads turned. The
9:13ambient chatter of the gala began to dim
9:15as the elites scented blood in the
9:18water. I built this company from my late
9:21husband's ashes. I will not be lectured
9:23by a proxy. Lakota stepped into the
9:26light. Victoria, perhaps we should
9:28discuss this in private. Victoria
9:30whipped around her eyes, blazing with
9:32misplaced fury. She needed a target,
9:36someone safe to abuse someone who
9:38couldn't fight back. Lakota was the
9:41perfect victim. You, Victoria, snarled.
9:44I told you to stay away. What are you
9:47doing here trying to eavesdrop so you
9:48can sell gossip to the tabloids? Is my
9:51son's allowance not enough for you? I'm
9:54trying to help you, Lakota said, her
9:56voice steady, though her heart pounded.
10:00Mr. Thorne is trying to tell you that
10:02the deal depends on your willingness to
10:04step down. If you make a scene, you kill
10:07the deal. Step down? Victoria laughed
10:11high and shrill. For who, Liam? He's too
10:14soft. He married you, didn't he? That
10:18proves his judgment is flawed. Victoria
10:21took a step closer to Lakota, invading
10:24her personal space. The smell of
10:26expensive wine and desperate fear
10:29radiated off her. "You have been a stain
10:32on this family since the day you
10:34arrived." Victoria spat loud enough for
10:37the circle of onlookers to hear. Walking
10:40around with your department store
10:41clothes and your pathetic little graphic
10:44design job. You think you're one of us?
10:48You are a parasite, Lakota, a nobody.
10:52Victoria, stop. Liam's voice cut through
10:56the crowd. He was pushing his way
10:59through, looking horrified.
11:01Mother, that's enough. It is not enough.
11:05Victoria screamed. She turned back to
11:08Marcus Thorne. You want to know why this
11:11company is struggling? Its distractions.
11:14Like her, I have to carry the weight of
11:16everyone.
11:18Mrs. Sterling, Marcus said coldly. I
11:22strongly suggest you lower your voice.
11:25Don't tell me what to do. Victoria
11:28shrieked. She looked at Lakota, whose
11:30calm expression seemed to infuriate her
11:34more than any insult could. Why are you
11:37looking at me like that? Do you think
11:39you're better than me? I think you're
11:41making a mistake, Lakota said quietly.
11:45The only mistake, Victoria said, her
11:48hand trembling, was letting you into
11:50this building.
11:52And then it happened. In a moment of
11:55theatrical rage, Victoria raised her
11:57glass of the 800 a bottle red wine. With
12:00a flick of her wrist, she didn't just
12:01spill it. She launched the liquid. A
12:05dark crimson arc splashed across
12:07Lakota's face, soaking her hair,
12:09dripping down her nose, and ruining the
12:12cream silk blouse. The room gasped. It
12:15was a collective intake of breath from
12:18500 people.
12:20The music stopped. The silence was
12:22absolute. Lakota stood frozen. The wine
12:26burned her eyes. She could feel the cold
12:29liquid seeping into her skin. Victoria
12:32stood panting, the empty glass still in
12:34her hand. [clears throat]
12:36For a second she looked triumphant. Then
12:39she looked at Marcus Thorne. Marcus
12:41wasn't looking at Victoria. He was
12:44looking at Lakota. And he wasn't looking
12:46at her with pity. He was looking at her
12:48with differential fear. Marcus Thorne
12:52stepped forward, bypassing Victoria
12:54completely. He pulled a pristine white
12:57handkerchief from his pocket and
12:59extended it to Lakota.
13:02"Mom," [clears throat] Marcus said, his
13:04voice ringing clear in the silent
13:06ballroom. "Are you all right?" Victoria
13:09blinked. "Mom, why are you calling the
13:12help, Mom?" Lakota took the
13:14handkerchief. She wiped her eyes slowly.
13:17When she lowered the cloth, the kindness
13:20was gone from her face. The
13:22daughter-in-law was gone. The CEO had
13:25arrived. Lakota looked at Marcus. Cancel
13:29the wire transfer, Marcus. Yes, mom,
13:32Marcus replied instantly, pulling out
13:34his phone. Victoria frowned, confusion
13:37waring with her anger. Wire transfer?
13:40What wire transfer? What is going on?
13:43Lakota stepped forward, her wine stained
13:46clothes suddenly looking like the armor
13:48of a wartorrn general. She ignored the
13:52wine dripping from her chin. She looked
13:54Victoria dead in the eye, the $800
13:57million wire transfer to save Sterling
14:00Enterprises. "Lot said, her voice
14:03projecting to the back of the room. I'm
14:06canceling it." Victoria scoffed a
14:09nervous jittery sound. You You can't
14:12cancel anything. You're nobody. Mr.
14:16Thorne, tell her to stop this charade.
14:18Marcus Thorne looked up from his phone.
14:21It's done. The deal is dead. He looked
14:24at Victoria. You don't seem to
14:27understand, Mrs. Sterling. We don't
14:29negotiate with people who assault our
14:31chairman.
14:33Victoria froze. Chairman. Marcus
14:36gestured to Lakota. May I introduce
14:39Lakota Vance, founder and majority
14:43shareholder of EV Capital, and until 30
14:46seconds ago, the owner of the company
14:47that was about to save your life. The
14:51glass slipped from Victoria's fingers
14:53and shattered on the floor. The silence
14:56that had befallen the Pierre Hotel
14:57ballroom was shattered not by a scream,
15:00but by the frantic clicking of camera
15:03shutters. The press previously relegated
15:05to the back of the room smelled the
15:08story of the decade. The Victoria
15:10Sterling humiliating the secret savior
15:13of her own empire.
15:15Victoria stared at the shattered glass
15:17at her feet, then up at Lakota. Her
15:21brain was misfiring, unable to bridge
15:24the gap between the freelancer
15:25daughter-in-law she despised and the
15:28financial titan standing before her.
15:31This is ridiculous. Victoria stammered
15:34her laugh, sounding brittle and manic.
15:37Is this some kind of sick joke, Liam?
15:39Did you put her up to this? Hiring
15:41actors to embarrass your mother.
15:44She pointed a shaking finger at Marcus
15:46Thorne. I know who you are, Mr. Thorne.
15:50You are a respectable businessman. Why
15:53are you playing along with this this
15:55peasant's delusion?
15:58Marcus Thorne didn't blink. He reached
16:01into his briefcase held by an assistant
16:03who had materialized beside him and
16:05pulled out a thick document bound in
16:08navy blue leather. "This is the
16:11acquisition contract, Mrs. Sterling,"
16:14Marcus said, his voice projecting
16:16easily. "Page one. Buyer entity EV
16:20Capital managing partner and sole
16:22proprietor Lakota Vance." He flipped the
16:25document open and held it up. There in
16:28bold print was Lakota's signature,
16:30sharp, angular, and undeniable.
16:34Victoria squinted at the paper. The
16:36color drained from her face, leaving her
16:38looking haggarded and old under the
16:40harsh ballroom lights. No, she
16:43whispered. That's impossible. You You
16:47design logos. You drive a Honda. I drive
16:50a Honda because I like it," Lakota said,
16:54her voice calm, but cutting through the
16:56air like a knife. She wiped a stray drop
16:59of wine from her cheek. And I design
17:01logos because it relaxes me. But my day
17:04job, my day job is buying distressed
17:08companies run by incompetent narcissists
17:11and turning them profitable. I've spent
17:14the last 6 months analyzing sterling
17:17enterprises. I know about the cooked
17:20books in the Singapore division. I know
17:22about the loans you took out against the
17:24employee pension fund. A gasp rippled
17:28through the crowd. That was illegal.
17:30That was prison time. Victoria took a
17:33stumbling step back. You You spied on
17:36me. I performed due diligence. Lakota
17:40corrected. I was willing to overlook the
17:42mismanagement. I was willing to bail you
17:45out, pay off the debts, and let you
17:46retire with dignity in the Hamptons. I
17:49was doing it for Liam because he loves
17:51you. God knows why. Lakota took a step
17:54forward, and for the first time,
17:57Victoria Sterling looked small. But you
18:01just reminded me of the golden rule of
18:03business. Victoria never invests in a
18:06liability. And you, Lakota gestured to
18:10the wine stain on her chest, are a
18:12liability.
18:14Liam, who had been standing in stunned
18:16silence, finally moved. He looked from
18:19his mother to his wife. His eyes were
18:22wide, processing the deception, the
18:25secret wealth, and the overwhelming
18:27reality of the situation. But when he
18:30looked at the wine dripping off Lakota's
18:33clothes, his confusion hardened into
18:36resolve. He took off his tuxedo jacket
18:38and draped it over Lakota's shoulders,
18:41covering the stain. "Liam" Victoria
18:44cried out, sensing her ally slipping
18:47away. "She lied to us. She lied to you.
18:51She's been sitting on a fortune while we
18:54struggled. She's a snake." Liam turned
18:57to his mother. His face was a mask of
19:00cold disappointment.
19:02She didn't pour wine on you, mother. You
19:04did that. You did this. I am your
19:08mother. I built this life for you. You
19:10built a cage, Liam said quietly. And you
19:14just locked yourself inside it. Liam
19:17wrapped his arm around Lakota. Let's go.
19:20You walk out that door with her,
19:22Victoria shrieked, her voice cracking.
19:25And you are cut off. Do you hear me? Not
19:28a penny. You will be destitute.
19:31Lakota paused. She turned back one last
19:35time, a faint, pitying smile on her
19:38lips.
19:40Victoria, Lakota said softly. I bought
19:44the bank that holds your mortgage last
19:46week. I don't think you're in a position
19:49to cut anyone off. With that, Lakota and
19:52Liam turned and walked toward the exit.
19:55The crowd parted like the Red Sea. As
19:58they reached the double doors, Marcus
20:00Thorne fell into step behind them,
20:02flanked by four security guards. Behind
20:05them, the sound of Victoria Sterling
20:08screaming orders that nobody obeyed
20:11echoed in the vast, expensive hall. She
20:14was alone in a room full of people
20:16drowning on dry land. The morning sun
20:19hit the floor toseeiling windows of the
20:21penthouse suite at the Mandarin
20:24Oriental. It wasn't their apartment
20:26Lakota had felt they couldn't go back to
20:28their modest two-bedroom in Brooklyn.
20:31Not with the press camped outside.
20:34Lakota sat on the edge of the king-sized
20:36bed, wearing a plush hotel robe. Her
20:39hair was washed, the smell of expensive
20:42wine finally gone, but the tension
20:44remained. Liam was standing on the
20:47balcony staring out at Central Park. He
20:50had been there for an hour holding a cup
20:52of coffee that had long since gone cold.
20:55Lakota stood up and walked to the glass
20:58door. She hesitated then slid it open.
21:01The city noise drifted up sirens honking
21:04the heartbeat of New York. "Liam"? She
21:07asked softly. He didn't turn around
21:10immediately. "I googled you," he said.
21:13His voice was flat. Lakota Vance net
21:16worth estimated at $1.2 billion. Forbes
21:2030 under 30 is list three years ago
21:22under a pseudonym. [clears throat] You
21:24own everything. The logistics company,
21:27my friend, works for yours. The app I
21:30used to track my running yours. He
21:33turned around. His eyes weren't angry,
21:36but they were hurt. Two years, Lakota.
21:39We ate instant noodles when the heater
21:41broke because we were saving money. We
21:44argued about whether we could afford a
21:46vacation to Jersey.
21:49Why? Lakota sighed, wrapping her arms
21:52around herself. This was the
21:54conversation she had feared more than
21:56Victoria's wroth. Because of my father,
22:00she said. Liam frowned. You said your
22:04father was a mechanic. He was, but he
22:08won the lottery when I was 12. $70
22:11million.
22:12Lakota leaned against the doorframe. It
22:15ruined us. My cousins sued us. My
22:19friends started stealing from me. Dad
22:22drank himself to death within 5 years
22:25because everyone he loved turned into a
22:28leech. I saw what money did to people. I
22:31saw how it changed how they looked at
22:33you.
22:34She stepped closer to Liam, reaching for
22:36his hand. He didn't pull away, but he
22:39didn't squeeze back yet.
22:42"When I met you at that coffee shop,"
22:44she whispered. "You didn't know who I
22:47was. You bought me a muffin because I
22:49looked sad.
22:51You liked me.
22:53Not the money, not the power, just
22:56Lakota. I was so terrified that if I
22:59told you I'd lose that. I wanted to be
23:02sure that we were real.
23:04Liam looked at her, searching her face.
23:06And the deal, saving my mother. I tried
23:09to do it anonymously. Lakota said, "I
23:12set up the shell company. I was going to
23:15buy it, fix it, and let her think she
23:16was a genius. I just wanted you to be
23:19free of her stress. But but she poured
23:23wine on you." Liam finished. A small dry
23:27chuckle escaped him. God, she's a
23:30monster. She is. Lakota agreed. But she
23:34is your mother. If you want me to go
23:36back, if you want me to sign the deal, I
23:40will. For you. Liam looked at her.
23:44Really looked at her. He saw the woman
23:46who had nursed him through the flu. The
23:49woman who laughed at his bad jokes. The
23:52woman who was currently willing to burn
23:54$800 million to save a woman who hated
23:58her. No, Liam said firmly. He squeezed
24:02her hand. Don't sign it. She needs to
24:05learn. But we need to talk about the
24:08instant noodles thing. No more lying.
24:12Full transparency. Lakota promised.
24:15Starting now. Her phone buzzed on the
24:17table inside. Then it buzzed again and
24:20again. It was a relentless stream of
24:24notifications. Lakota walked back inside
24:27and picked it up. It started, she said.
24:31What bat ass
24:33the fallout. Lakota swiped the screen to
24:36mirror it onto the large TV in the
24:38suite. The news was on CNBC. The
24:42headline flashed in red, Sterling
24:44Enterprises stock plummets 40% after
24:47merger collapse. The anchor was speaking
24:50rapidly. Insiders report a disastrous
24:53scene at the Pierre Hotel last night
24:55involving CEO Victoria Sterling and a
24:58potential investor. Creditors are
25:01reportedly calling in loans this
25:03morning. Bankruptcy could be filed as
25:05early as noon.
25:07She's done, Liam said, watching the
25:10screen. Not yet, Lakota said, her eyes
25:14narrowing. She pointed to a ticker at
25:16the bottom of the screen. Look who just
25:18entered the building. on the screen.
25:21Live footage showed the entrance of the
25:24Sterling Tower. A black limousine had
25:27pulled up. A man stepped out tall,
25:29silver-haired, wearing a pinstripe suit
25:32that cost more than a car. He had a
25:35shark-like smile that made the camera
25:37lens seemed to crack. "Who is that?"
25:41Liam asked. "Charles Vain," Lakota said,
25:45her voice dropping an octave. the most
25:48ruthless corporate litigator in New
25:50York. He doesn't save companies. He
25:52strips them for parts and sues the
25:55people who tried to help. Why is he
25:57there? Because Victoria called him.
26:00Lakota said, realizing the game had just
26:04changed. She's not going to apologize,
26:06Liam. She's going to sue me. She's going
26:09to claim I acted in bad faith to
26:11sabotage the company. As if on Q,
26:14Lakota's phone rang. It wasn't a number
26:17she recognized. She put it on speaker.
26:20This is Lakota Vance. Ms. Vance. A
26:23smooth oily voice purred. It was Charles
26:26Vain. And Mr. Sterling, I assume you are
26:29listening. Good. I represent your
26:32mother, Victoria Sterling. We are
26:35preparing a lawsuit alleging corporate
26:38espionage, breach of verbal contract,
26:41and intentional infliction of emotional
26:43distress. We are seeking $1.5 billion in
26:47damages. You have no case, Charles,
26:51Lakota said, her voice icy. There was no
26:54signed contract, and the assault was
26:56witnessed by 500 people. Oh, the wine.
27:01Charles Vain laughed. We have witnesses
27:04who are prepared to testify that you
27:06provoked her, that you threw the wine on
27:08yourself to frame her. Perception is
27:11reality, Miss Vance. And unless you want
27:13your face dragged through the mud and
27:16your precious private equity firm
27:18investigated by the DOJ, I suggest you
27:21come to the office. Victoria is willing
27:24to settle.
27:26Settle? Liam asked, leaning into the
27:29phone. What does she want? She wants the
27:32deal signed, Vain said. At full price,
27:36plus a formal public apology from Ms.
27:38Vance. and she wants you, Liam, to
27:41return home alone."
27:44Liam looked at Lakota. The anger in his
27:46eyes was gone, replaced by a cold fury
27:49that matched his wife's. "Tell my
27:52mother," Liam said into the phone. "That
27:54we'll see her in court," he hung up.
27:57Lakota looked at him impressed. "You
28:00know vain is dangerous. He plays dirty."
28:03"So do we," Liam said. He walked over to
28:06the closet where the hotel had delivered
28:08some new clothes for them. You own the
28:11bank, right? The one holding her
28:13mortgage. Yes. Lakota smiled a wicked
28:18glint in her eye. Then let's go pay the
28:21tenant a visit, Liam said. It's time for
28:24an eviction notice. But they
28:27underestimated Victoria. She wasn't just
28:30relying on lawyers. As Lakota and Liam
28:33prepared to leave the hotel, a
28:34notification popped up on Lakota's
28:37phone. It was a live stream from inside
28:40the Sterling mansion. Victoria was
28:42sitting in her library, tears streaming
28:45down her face, likely fake, talking to a
28:48camera. "My son has been brainwashed."
28:52Victoria sobbed to her millions of
28:54social media followers. "This woman,
28:57this predator, she deceived us all. She
29:00stole my company's secrets and now she's
29:02holding my boy hostage. I am a mother
29:05fighting for her child.
29:08The comment section was scrolling by at
29:11light speed.
29:13Save Liam boycott EV capital. Your
29:15mother knows best. She's turning the
29:18public against you, Liam said horrified.
29:21Lakota grabbed her coat. She wants a
29:23war. She's going to get a revolution.
29:26Call Marcus. Tell him to release the
29:28security tapes. Which tapes? The ones
29:32from the house, Lakota said grimly. The
29:35ones from last Christmas. The ones where
29:37she admits to the tax fraud. If she
29:40wants to play the victim, let's show the
29:42world the real villain. The battle for
29:45public opinion had begun. And the
29:47Sterling name was the battlefield.
29:51The lobby of EV Capital was a fortress
29:53of glass and steel in lower Manhattan. A
29:57stark contrast to the crumbling gilded
29:59decay of Sterling Enterprises. But even
30:02the bulletproof glass seemed fragile
30:04against the mob outside.
30:07Gold digger. Home wrecker. Give Liam
30:11back.
30:13Lakota watched the scene from the back
30:15seat of her armored SUV as it pulled
30:18into the underground garage. The crowd,
30:20fueled by Victoria's tearful Instagram
30:23live stream, was baying for blood.
30:26Victoria had spun a narrative so
30:28compelling that even Lakota was
30:31impressed by the sheer audacity of it.
30:34The poor widowed matriarch defending her
30:37legacy against a predatory lying hedge
30:40fund manager who had seduced her son.
30:44"She's good," Lakota murmured, stepping
30:47out of the car as security shielded her.
30:49"She's a sociopath," Liam corrected,
30:53walking beside her. He looked exhausted,
30:56but the resolve in his jaw hadn't
30:58wavered. He was wearing a suit Lakota
31:00had bought him that morning, bespoke
31:02sharp, fitting the role of a
31:04billionaire's husband he was only just
31:07beginning to understand. They took the
31:09private elevator to the 40th floor. When
31:12the doors opened, the atmosphere was
31:14electric. Dozens of analysts were glued
31:17to screens monitoring the PR disaster.
31:20Marcus Thorne met them at the entrance
31:22to the boardroom. He looked grim. "It's
31:25bad, Lakota," Marcus said without
31:28preamble. Stock in EV capital is down 4%
31:31just on reputation damage. Our partners
31:34in Tokyo are asking questions.
31:36Victoria's lawyer, Vain, just filed an
31:39emergency injunction to freeze your
31:42personal assets pending the lawsuit.
31:44He's claiming you used insider
31:46information gained through marriage to
31:49sabotage Sterling Enterprises.
31:52Can he do that? Liam asked, alarmed. He
31:56can try, Lakota said, walking into her
31:58office and throwing her coat on a chair.
32:00He's trying to starve us out. He thinks
32:03if he freezes my accounts, I can't fight
32:05the legal battle.
32:07Lakota sat behind her desk, a massive
32:10slab of black marble. For the first
32:13time, Liam saw her fully in her element.
32:16She wasn't the wife clipping coupons.
32:19She was a general at war. Marcus, what's
32:21the status on the sterling debt? Lakota
32:24asked. We own 60% of their commercial
32:27loans. Marcus replied, pulling up a
32:30holographic chart. But there's a
32:33problem. Vain found a loophole. There's
32:36a grace period clause. We can't
32:39foreclose for another 48 hours. In that
32:43time, Victoria is planning to sell off
32:45the company's crown jewel, the European
32:48division, to a rival firm to get quick
32:51cash. If she does that, she pays off the
32:54debt, keeps control, and sues us into
32:57oblivion.
32:59Lakota tapped a pen against the desk.
33:02She's selling Europe. That's the only
33:05profitable part of the company. She's
33:07gutting the business to save her own
33:09skin.
33:11She doesn't care about the business,
33:13Liam said quietly, staring at a photo of
33:16his father on the wall. A photo Lakota
33:18had seemingly kept for years.
33:21She cares about the title. She'd be
33:24queen of a graveyard rather than a
33:26commoner. Lakota looked at Liam. You
33:30mentioned the Christmas tapes earlier.
33:32Are you sure you want to do this? Once
33:34we release them, there's no going back.
33:37It will destroy her reputation
33:39permanently.
33:41Liam closed his eyes. He remembered that
33:43Christmas two years ago, the argument he
33:46had overheard in the study, the reason
33:48he had distanced himself from the family
33:51business in the first place.
33:54She forged my father's will. Lakota,
33:59Liam, said, his voice trembling with
34:01suppressed rage. I never told you the
34:03full story. I heard her admitting it to
34:06her accountant. Dad didn't leave the
34:08company to her. He left it to me. She
34:11changed the documents. She stole my
34:14birthright and then treated me like an
34:16employee in my own house. The room went
34:18silent. Marcus looked up from his
34:21tablet. If we can prove that, Marcus
34:24said, "It's not a lawsuit. It's a
34:26criminal case. Fraud, forgery, grand
34:29lasseny. I have the audio." Lakota said.
34:33She pulled a small encrypted flash drive
34:35from her safe. I recorded it. I was in
34:39the hallway waiting for you, Liam. I've
34:42had this for 2 years. I never used it
34:45because I didn't want to send your
34:46mother to prison. I wanted to buy the
34:49company and hand it back to you legally.
34:52Play it, Liam said. Lakota plugged the
34:56drive-in. Victoria's voice filled the
34:59room clear and sharp. I don't care what
35:01Arthur wanted. Liam is too soft. He'll
35:05give the profits to charity. Change the
35:08beneficiary page. Make me the sole
35:10executive. If anyone asks, Arthur was
35:13not of sound mind when he wrote the
35:16original draft. Then the accountant's
35:19voice. But Victoria, this is a felony.
35:22Victoria's laugh echoed. It's only a
35:26felony if you get caught. And who's
35:28going to catch me? My son. He's too busy
35:31dating that barista trash to notice he's
35:33been robbed. Liam's face was stone. The
35:37barista trash comment hung in the air.
35:40Release it, Liam said. Post it
35:43everywhere. Send it to the DOJ. Send it
35:46to the news. Not yet, Lakota said, her
35:50eyes narrowing. A plan was forming a
35:52plan far more devastating than a simple
35:55leak. If we leak it now, Vain will claim
35:58it's a deep fake AI fabrication. He'll
36:02muddy the waters. We need her to admit
36:05it. We need a confession.
36:08She'll never confess, Marcus argued. She
36:11will, Lakota said, standing up. If she
36:14thinks she's winning, Victoria is a
36:17narcissist. She can't help but gloat
36:19when she thinks she has the upper hand.
36:22Lakota turned to Marcus. Let the sale of
36:25the European division proceed. In fact,
36:28have our shell company in Zurich put in
36:30a bid. Make her think she's about to get
36:33the money. And then, and then Lakota
36:37smiled. We go to the signing ceremony,
36:40and we wear a wire. The signing ceremony
36:43was scheduled for the following evening
36:44at the Sterling Tower penthouse.
36:47Victoria had moved fast, desperate to
36:49secure the funds before the 48-hour
36:52grace period on her loans expired. She
36:55had invited the press, of course. She
36:57wanted the world to see her victory. She
37:00wanted to show that Sterling Enterprises
37:02was still strong and that she had
37:04outsmarted the evil Lakota Vance. The
37:08room was packed. Champagne flowed.
37:11Victoria stood at the head of a long
37:13mahogany table looking radiant in red.
37:16Beside her sat Charles Vain, looking
37:19like a viper in a silk tie. Lakota and
37:22Liam walked in. The room went quiet.
37:25Security guards stepped forward, but
37:27Charles Vain held up a hand. Let them
37:30in. Vain smirked. Let them watch.
37:34Victoria laughed, swirling her glass.
37:37Well, well, the prodigal son and his
37:40sugar mama. Did you come to beg for
37:42forgiveness or did you come to see what
37:45real business looks like? We came to
37:48wish you luck, Lakota said, her voice
37:50projecting calmly. She wore a black
37:53dress severe and sharp. She looked like
37:55a judge. Selling the European division
37:58is a bold move, Victoria. It's the only
38:01thing keeping the stock price above
38:03zero. It's a strategic realignment,
38:07Victoria scoffed. she gestured to the
38:09buyers across the table, men in gray
38:12suits who were unbeknownst to her agents
38:14of Lakota's Zurich subsidiary.
38:17With this influx of cash, I will pay off
38:20your predatory loans, and I will sue you
38:23for every penny you have. I will own EV
38:26Capital by the time I'm done.
38:29Is that how you plan to get the money?
38:31Liam asked, stepping forward. By
38:34stealing it like you stole the company
38:36from Dad. The cameras were rolling. The
38:40press leaned in. Victoria's eyes
38:43flashed. She motioned for the cameras to
38:45cut, but they didn't. She didn't care.
38:48She felt untouchable.
38:51Oh, grow up, Liam. Victoria hissed,
38:54lowering her voice, so only those near
38:57the table could hear, or so she thought.
39:00Your father was a fool. He would have
39:03run this company into the ground with
39:05his ethics. I did what had to be done to
39:08save the family name. I took control
39:11because I am the only one strong enough
39:13to wield it. "So, you admit you forged
39:16the will?" Lakota asked loudly. "I admit
39:20I did what was necessary?" Victoria
39:23snapped her ego, taking the bait. "And
39:25there is nothing you can do about it.
39:27The statute of limitations on contesting
39:29the will has passed. I won. You lost.
39:33Now get out of my building before I have
39:35you thrown out. She turned to the
39:37buyers. Gentlemen, shall we sign? The
39:41lead buyer, a man named Mr. Silver,
39:43looked at the papers. Then he looked at
39:46Victoria. Then he looked at Lakota.
39:50Actually, Mr. Silva said, closing the
39:53folder. I don't think we will be
39:55signing. Victoria froze. What? Why the
40:00terms are agreed? Because Mr. Silva said
40:03standing up, "My employer has instructed
40:06me to withdraw the offer." "Your
40:08employer? Who is your employer?"
40:11Victoria demanded. Mr. Silva gestured to
40:14Lakota. Victoria whipped around. You
40:17You're the buyer. I am, Lakota said. And
40:21I'm withdrawing the bid, which means
40:24Victoria, you have no cash flow. You
40:27have no white knight. Lakota checked her
40:29watch and according to my records, the
40:3248-hour grace period on your loans
40:35expired. 2 minutes ago. Charles Vain
40:39stood up his face pale. Now wait a
40:42minute, Miss Vance. We can negotiate. No
40:45negotiation, Lakota said. She pulled out
40:49her phone and pressed a single button.
40:51Suddenly, the lights in the building
40:53flickered. The smart screens on the
40:56walls which displayed the Sterling logo
40:58glitched and went black. Then a new logo
41:02appeared. EV Capital. What is happening?
41:07Victoria shrieked. I just executed the
41:10foreclosure clause. Lakota said as the
41:13primary creditor and due to your
41:15default, I have seized the assets of
41:17Sterling Enterprises effective
41:19immediately. This building is now mine.
41:23The security staff works for me. The
41:25champagne you're drinking, I paid for
41:27it. Lakota signaled to the head of
41:30security, a man who had worked for
41:32Victoria for 10 years, a man Victoria
41:35had berated and underpaid for a decade.
41:39Mr. Henderson, Lakota said, please
41:42escort the trespassers off the premises.
41:45Mr. Henderson smiled. It was a genuine
41:48smile. He walked over to Victoria.
41:51Mrs. Sterling Henderson said, "I'm going
41:55to have to ask you to leave." "You can't
41:57touch me. I own this city." Victoria
42:01screamed, backing away. She looked at
42:03Charles Vain. "Do [clears throat]
42:05something." Vain was already packing his
42:08briefcase. "I'm afraid, Victoria, that
42:11my retainer requires a solvent client,
42:14and since you just lost your company, I
42:16resign."
42:18Vain walked out, leaving her alone.
42:21Liam. Victoria cried, reaching out to
42:24her son. Liam, please, you can't let her
42:26do this to your mother. Liam looked at
42:29her. He saw the woman who had
42:31manipulated him lied to him and stolen
42:34his father's legacy. I'm not doing this
42:37to you, mother. Liam said, "You did it
42:39to yourself. And by the way, that
42:42barista trash you talked about, she just
42:45outsmarted you without raising her
42:47voice."
42:48Liam turned his back on her. Henderson
42:51and two other guards gently but firmly
42:54took Victoria by the arms. As they led
42:57her toward the elevators, she wasn't the
42:59queen of society anymore. She was just a
43:02screaming woman in a red dress being
43:05evicted from a kingdom she stole.
43:08Lakota stood at the head of the table.
43:10She looked at the press who were stunned
43:12into silence.
43:15"The show is over," Lakota said.
43:18Please clear the room. We
43:19[clears throat] have a company to
43:20rebuild.
43:226 months is a long time in the world of
43:25high finance. In 6 months, fortunes can
43:28be made, governments can topple, and
43:31names that were once etched in stone can
43:33be washed away like chalk in the rain.
43:36The Sterling Tower, once a monolith of
43:39black marble and intimidation that
43:42loomed over Midtown Manhattan, had
43:44undergone a soul transplant. The heavy
43:47light-sucking drapes in the lobby were
43:49gone, replaced by floor toseeiling smart
43:51glass that flooded the atrium with
43:54natural light. The golden S that had
43:57adorned the floor, a symbol people were
43:59once forced to walk around, had been
44:02removed. In its place was a modern
44:05collaborative workspace filled with
44:07greenery. It was no longer the Sterling
44:10Tower. It was the Vance Sterling Center
44:13for Innovation.
44:15Lakota Vance sat in what used to be
44:17Victoria's office. The layout was
44:20unrecognizable.
44:22Victoria's desk, a monstrosity of
44:24mahogany that sat on a raised platform
44:26to make her look taller than her guests,
44:28was gone. "Lot worked at a sleek, modest
44:32table near the window, surrounded by her
44:34team." "The Q3 projections are in
44:38Lakota,"
44:39Marcus Thorne said, projecting a
44:41hologram onto the glass wall. Since we
44:44liquidated the toxic assets in the
44:46luxury division and pivoted to
44:48sustainable tech revenue is up 210%.
44:52The stock price has tripled since the
44:54red wine incident. Lakota smiled, taking
44:57a sip of coffee from a mug that said
45:00world's okayest boss. A joke gift from
45:03an intern. Something Victoria would have
45:06fired someone for. And employee
45:09retention. Lakota asked. Highest in the
45:12industry, Marcus replied, scrolling
45:15through the data. People actually like
45:17coming to work when they aren't
45:19terrified of being screamed at for
45:21breathing too loudly. Oh, and we just
45:24secured the contract for the municipal
45:26clean energy grid. The mayor wants to do
45:29a photo op with you. Schedule it, Lakota
45:32said, standing up and walking to the
45:34window. But make sure Liam is in the
45:37photo. He's the one who spearheaded the
45:39proposal. He's in the South Bronx right
45:42now, Marcus noted, overseeing the new
45:46community center. You know, for a guy
45:48who grew up with a silver spoon, he's
45:50surprisingly good at getting his hands
45:52dirty.
45:53He didn't grow up with a spoon. Lakota
45:56corrected softly, looking out at the
45:59city. He grew up with a shackle. He's
46:02just finally free to run. The intercom
46:05buzzed. It was the receptionist. Miss
46:07Vance Security has flagged a voicemail
46:10on the main line. It's from a blocked
46:13number, but the voice matches the
46:15restricted profile.
46:17Lakota stiffened. She didn't need to ask
46:20who it was. Play it. The room went
46:24silent as Victoria Sterling's voice,
46:27crackly and slightly slurred, filled the
46:29modern office. Tell her I need to speak
46:32to her. It's urgent. The allowance isn't
46:35enough. The heating bill in this
46:38god-forsaken apartment is criminal. I am
46:40Victoria Sterling. I shouldn't be
46:42worrying about the price of oil. Liam
46:44won't answer my calls. Tell him his
46:47mother is freezing. Tell him. The
46:50message cut off. The time limit had
46:52expired. Marcus looked at Lakota, his
46:55expression hard. She's lying. You know,
46:59the stipend we set up is more than
47:01generous. It's $8,000 a month. Most
47:04families live on half that. She just
47:07doesn't know how to live without a staff
47:09of 20. I know, Lakota said, her voice
47:12devoid of pity, but heavy with fatigue.
47:15Don't respond. If she has a genuine
47:18emergency, the lawyers will handle it.
47:20If we engage, she wins.
47:23She's trying to get into the gala
47:25tonight, Marcus warned. We've had
47:28reports that she's been calling former
47:30associates, begging for a plus one. Let
47:32her try, Lakota said, turning back to
47:35the window. The guest list is biometric.
47:38Ghosts don't show up on scanners.
47:44The gala that evening was the event of
47:46the season held at the Pierre Hotel. It
47:49was a poetic choice. This was the scene
47:52of the crime, the very room where half a
47:54year ago Victoria had tried to drown
47:58Lakota's dignity in a glass of Cabernet.
48:01Tonight, the room felt different. The
48:04fear was gone. The air was light.
48:08Lakota stood in the dressing room of the
48:10master suite upstairs. She stared at
48:13herself in the fulllength mirror. She
48:16had chosen her outfit with the precision
48:18of a tactical strike. It was a gown of
48:21deep, shimmering crimson velvet. It
48:24caught the light like liquid ruby. It
48:27was the exact shade of the wine that had
48:29ruined her white blouse that night. She
48:32was wearing her trauma-like armor. "You
48:35look dangerous," Liam said from the
48:38doorway. Lakota turned. Liam looked
48:42dashing in a midnight blue tuxedo. But
48:44it was his eyes that had changed the
48:46most. The haunted, anxious look of a man
48:50constantly waiting for his mother's
48:51criticism was gone. He looked settled.
48:56"Happy, dangerous is good," Lakota said,
48:59smoothing the fabric. "Are you ready for
49:02this? Walking back into that room." Liam
49:06walked over and took her hands. The last
49:09time we were there, I walked out with
49:11nothing but the shirt on my back and
49:13you. It turned out to be the best deal I
49:16ever made. You're charming when you're
49:19rich, Lakota teased. I'm charming
49:22because I'm free," he countered. He
49:25paused his thumb, tracing her knuckles.
49:28I heard the voicemail. "From her."
49:32Lakota's smile faded slightly. "I didn't
49:35want you to worry about it." "I'm not
49:38worried," Liam said, and his voice was
49:41startlingly firm. "I used to feel
49:43guilty. I used to think I owed her for
49:46sacrificing so much to raise me. But I
49:50realized she didn't sacrifice anything.
49:53She invested in me like I was a stock
49:55and she expected a return. You don't owe
49:58a lone shark love.
50:01He kissed her forehead. Let's go
50:04downstairs. There are 500 people waiting
50:07to see the woman who took down the
50:09queen.
50:14The descent into the ballroom was a slow
50:16motion victory lap. When the doors
50:19opened, the conversation didn't stop. It
50:21shifted, heads turned, eyes widened.
50:25Lakota and Liam descended the grand
50:28staircase hand in hand. The same society
50:31elites who had sneered at Lakota 6
50:33months ago, who had whispered gold
50:36digger behind their fans now practically
50:39tripped over themselves to make eye
50:41contact.
50:42Lakota darling.
50:44It was Mrs. Vanderhovven, a woman who
50:47had once asked Lakota to fetch her a
50:50drink, mistaking her for a waitress.
50:52That dress is exquisite. We simply must
50:55do lunch. I have a charity initiative
50:57that needs your brilliance. Lakota
51:00smiled, a shark-like bearing of teeth
51:02that passed for politeness. "Lovely to
51:05see you, Beatatrice. Call my office. My
51:08assistant handles the smaller accounts."
51:12She breezed past, leaving the woman
51:14stunned but smiling, desperate to remain
51:18in Lakota's orbit. They moved through
51:20the room, a power couple in the truest
51:23sense. They weren't just wealthy, they
51:26were interesting. They had a story. They
51:30were the dragon slayers. But amidst the
51:33champagne and the adulation, Lakota felt
51:36a pull, a strange gravity. She navigated
51:41through the crowd, excusing herself from
51:43a conversation with the senator, and
51:46walked toward the French doors that led
51:48to the balcony.
51:50She needed air. She needed to check the
51:53perimeter of her victory.
51:56She stepped out into the cool October
51:58night. The noise of the party faded
52:01behind the glass. The city hummed below
52:04a grid of lights and ambition. Lakota
52:07walked to the stone railing and looked
52:09down. The Pierre Hotel entrance was
52:12three stories below, illuminated by the
52:14golden glow of the street lamps. And
52:17there she was. It was unmistakably
52:20Victoria. She was standing just outside
52:23the velvet rope, arguing with the
52:25doorman. Even from this distance, Lakota
52:28could see the frantic, jerky movements
52:30of her hands. Victoria was wearing a fur
52:33coat that looked ragged, likely one she
52:36had managed to hide from the asset
52:38seizure, but beneath it she looked thin.
52:41She wasn't the terrifying matriarch
52:43anymore. She was just a woman shouting
52:46at a bouncer who didn't care who she
52:48used to be. As if sensing eyes on her,
52:52Victoria stopped arguing. She looked up.
52:56For a moment, the world seemed to
52:58freeze.
53:00Lakota stood on the balcony, bathed in
53:02the warm light of the ballroom, draped
53:05in crimson velvet, holding a crystal
53:07flute of sparkling water. She was high
53:10above, untouchable, the queen of the
53:12castle. Victoria stood on the cold
53:14pavement in the shadows, locked out of
53:17the world she had built. Their eyes met.
53:20Lakota expected to feel anger. She
53:23expected to feel a surge of vindictive
53:26triumph. But as she looked at the woman
53:28who had made her life hell, all she felt
53:31was a profound, quiet indifference.
53:35Victoria was small. She was a relic of a
53:39time that was over.
53:41Victoria raised a hand. It was a
53:44pathetic gesture, half a wave, half a
53:46plea. Her mouth moved, shouting
53:49something that the wind carried away
53:51before it could reach the balcony.
53:53Liam's Lakota didn't move. She didn't
53:57wave. She didn't scowl. She simply
54:00raised her glass. A toast to the past,
54:03the gesture said. And to its end. Lakota
54:08turned around her crimson dress swirling
54:11around her ankles. She didn't watch
54:13Victoria leave. She didn't need to.
54:16Victoria Sterling was no longer the
54:18protagonist of this story. She wasn't
54:20even the villain. She was just
54:23background noise. Lakota opened the
54:26doors and stepped back into the warmth.
54:29Liam was waiting for her near the band.
54:31The musicians had just started a slow
54:34jazzy number. He saw her come in, saw
54:37the look on her face, a mix of finality
54:39and peace. And he knew. Is she gone?
54:44Liam asked quietly.
54:46She's been gone for a long time, Lakota
54:49answered. We just finally stopped
54:52looking for her. Liam smiled, a genuine
54:55boyish smile that reached his eyes. He
54:58extended his hand. "Mrs. Vance, I
55:01believe this is our song." "We don't
55:04have a song," Lakota laughed, taking his
55:07hand. "We do now," he said, pulling her
55:11onto the dance floor. As they swayed
55:14under the crystal chandeliers,
55:16surrounded by the applause of the city's
55:18elite Lakota, rested her head on Liam's
55:20shoulder. She thought about the instant
55:23noodles in the drafty Brooklyn
55:25apartment. She thought about the
55:27secrets, the fear, and the wine dripping
55:30down her face. And then she looked
55:33around at the empire she now controlled,
55:36not for power, but for protection.
55:40She had won, not because she had the
55:43most money, though she did, and not
55:46because she was the most ruthless,
55:48because she wasn't. She had won because
55:51she knew who she was when the bank
55:53account was empty and Victoria Sterling
55:55never did. The music swelled, the camera
55:58flashed, and Lakota Vance, the invisible
56:01titan, finally allowed herself to be
56:04seen. And that is how Lakota Vance
56:08turned a humiliation into an empire.
56:12It's a powerful reminder that you should
56:14never judge someone by their cover or by
56:17the job they tell you they have.
56:20Victoria Sterling learned the hard way
56:22that when you try to crush someone, you
56:25better make sure they aren't the one
56:27holding the deed to your house.
56:30In the end, the wine stain washed out,
56:33but the karma that stuck forever. It
56:36just goes to show the best revenge isn't
56:39screaming.
56:40>> [clears throat]
56:40>> It's succeeding so loudly that your
56:42enemies have to listen. Wow, what a
56:44ride. If you enjoyed this story of
56:47massive revenge and instant karma,
56:50please hit that like button. It really
56:53helps the channel grow and tells me you
56:56want more stories like this. And if you
56:59haven't already, subscribe and turn on
57:02the notification bell so you never
57:05[clears throat] miss the next part of
57:07our daily drama series. I've got an even
57:10crazier story coming tomorrow about a
57:13boss who fired his intern unaware she
57:16was the owner's daughter.
57:19You don't want to miss it. Thanks for
57:22watching and I'll see you in the next

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