Chapter 5 - The Viral Truth
"What is this nonsense, Thomas?" Richard demanded, his smug facade cracking slightly.
"This is the footage from the security cameras installed in my kitchen," Thomas announced as the large screen flickered to life.
Carol’s face drained of color as she recognized the timestamp on the video currently loading on the screen.
"You cannot show personal family matters in a corporate board meeting!" she shrieked, lunging toward the projector.
"Sit down, Carol," demanded Mr. Vance, the oldest and most respected member of the board.
The room fell dead silent as the high-definition video played, showing clear as day the moment Zoey reached for a piece of sausage.
They watched in absolute horror as Carol struck the two-year-old child with enough force to knock her to the floor.
They heard Carol’s vicious words about the family name, and they saw Jade bravely shield her crying daughter.
When the video ended, the silence in the boardroom was suffocating.
"As you can see," Thomas said, his voice echoing in the quiet room, "the only abusive person in my household is the woman standing before you."
"That is taken out of context!" Carol stammered, her hands trembling violently.
"Furthermore," Thomas continued, ignoring her entirely, "I filed a police report three days ago."
He slid a copy of the official police report and the medical documentation across the table.
"My mother is currently under investigation for child abuse, which is a massive liability to this company's public image."
Richard quickly stood up, desperately trying to distance himself from the sinking ship.
"I had no idea about any of this, gentlemen," Richard lied smoothly, holding his hands up in surrender.
Before Richard could say another word, Thomas’s phone buzzed with an urgent text from Jade.
Check Twitter. Now.
Thomas pulled up the social media platform on the main screen, revealing that someone—likely a nurse or a disgruntled police clerk—had leaked the kitchen footage.
May you like
The video was already trending at number one nationwide, under the hashtag #MonsterGrandma.
Carol stared at the millions of views ticking upward in real-time, realizing her pristine socialite reputation was completely destroyed.
