After Nathaniel tossed the tablet, a servant stepped forward and started playing the video.
The recording filled the room with the sounds of an intense argument between Paul and Suri.
The shaky footage captured Paul's aggressive stance, his face contorted in anger as he shouted insults, and finally lunged at Suri while a man continued to beat her, a clear scenario of the incident that had happened in Bombay.
The camera angle was unsteady, as though it was recorded from an unexpected perspective. The video's rough quality did nothing to obscure the damning evidence as to what had transpired.
Gasps echoed as the board members watched the scene play in stunned silence. Rena's face twisted with fury as she glanced at her son, who was pale, wide-eyed, and utterly speechless. She leaned over, her voice a venomous whisper, "How could you be so stupid as to let yourself be recorded?"
Paul's eyes widened in panic, his voice rising in desperation. "It's not me... it's all lies... an entire fabrication!" His voice cut through the silence as he shot to his feet, his eyes darted from one face to another and desperation written all over his face. He looked at the board members, pleading, "This...this is a setup! I swear, I didn't—"
However, his frantic outburst did little to convince the already disapproving board members. A few exchanged skeptical glances while others shook their heads, muttering under their breath.
They had tolerated Paul and Rena's ambition, even their maneuvering within the family. But this was a step too far, especially if Suri's safety was compromised.
Rena, her eyes blazing with anger, tried to regain control of the situation. "Nathaniel," she spat, her voice dripping with venom, "you don't honestly believe this, do you? How can you rely on such dubious evidence? Paul has done nothing wrong."
"Dubious?" Nathaniel echoed, arching an eyebrow. "Are you suggesting that this video came from an unalterable and unquestionable source? Or are you implying that this is something that had been staged, like a scene from a movie? Is this what you are saying?"
His gaze swept over the others, his tone sharp. "If you are so bold as to call this fabricated, then perhaps you and your son think themselves above the family's judgment."
Rena's jaw clenched, fury distorting her features as she turned to her son.
Seeing their disarray, Nathaniel rose, commanding the room's attention once more. "This is the consequence of breaking our rules and endangering one of our own," he declared, his voice steely with resolve. "We will proceed as per the family's wishes, and the matter of succession will be handled accordingly."
"As you all know, Suri doesn't want it and with this Paul has proven his inability so if this goes on after me, an heir from the side branch would be chosen."
The moment those words fell, everyone erupted in shocked murmurs. The decision to select an heir from the side branch was unprecedented.
This was a move that was reserved for only the gravest of the circumstances, but all of them welcomed the decision and by doing so, Nathaniel had decisively cut off any chances for the side branches that had been supporting Rena and Paul.
Yet, it was clearly a masterstroke and made everyone understand just how disgusted Nathaniel had been with them.
Unless the family elder intervened to put this fool on the seat the chances of Paul inheriting the Barret's inheritance had been totally cut off.
Rena shot to her feet, her expression turning blank as her voice trembled with anger, "You can't do this...You can't..."
"Oh yes, I can—and I will!" Nathaniel reprimanded coldly.
Paul slumped in his seat, his spirit of defiance finally crushed under the weight of the accusations and the silent condemnation of those around him. Beside him, Rena sat rigidly, her face a mask of simmering rage and disbelief.
Nathaniel turned his gaze back to the gathered board. "This family has always valued loyalty and integrity. Let this serve as a reminder of what happens to those who seek to undermine it."
His gaze lingered on Paul and Rena for a moment longer before he delivered his final decree as a whole, "This meeting is adjourned."
With that, he turned and strode out of the room, leaving behind the board members in uneasy silence and Paul and Rena to grapple with the consequences of their actions.