Sebastian gave a short laugh.
SEBASTIAN: "You don't know anything about the business."
Naomi looked down at the ground.
She had not come to compete with him.
She had come to mourn her father.
After the funeral, she returned to her duties. The family gradually stopped contacting her except when they needed something or wanted to criticize her decisions.
She received no clear explanation of Frank's final financial arrangements.
She was told that the estate was being managed and that Harbor House had become too expensive to maintain.
When she asked whether her father had left any personal instructions, Eleanor said there was nothing important.
Naomi believed her.
She had no reason to imagine that her own mother might be keeping information from her.
Months later, the invitation to the naval veterans' gala arrived.
Naomi accepted because the event supported injured service members and their families. She knew several officers who would be attending, and she wanted to contribute to the cause.
She did not plan to make the evening about herself.
She had no intention of confronting her family.
But Eleanor learned that Naomi would be attending and contacted her.
ELEANOR: "I heard your name is on the guest list."
NAOMI: "Yes. I received an invitation."
ELEANOR: "Sebastian will be there."
NAOMI: "I assumed so."
ELEANOR: "I don't want any unnecessary family drama."
NAOMI: "Neither do I."
ELEANOR: "Then perhaps you should reconsider attending."
Naomi paused.
NAOMI: "Mother, this isn't a private family event."
ELEANOR: "You know what I mean."
NAOMI: "I do. But I'm still going."
The call ended.
Naomi chose her uniform carefully on the evening of the gala. She checked the medals, adjusted her gold shoulder boards, and pinned her nameplate in place.
She looked at herself in the mirror.
She was no longer the young woman who had left the Montgomery estate carrying a suitcase.
She had built a life through discipline, difficult decisions, and years of service.
She had nothing to prove to Sebastian.
And she had nothing to apologize for.
When she arrived at the ballroom, the atmosphere was magnificent. Crystal chandeliers hung above the guests, American flags stood beside the stage, and hundreds of veterans had gathered around elegantly decorated tables.
Naomi greeted several colleagues and exchanged brief conversations with retired officers.
Then she saw Sebastian.
He was standing near the center of the ballroom with Eleanor. Both looked perfectly dressed, and Sebastian seemed to be enjoying the attention.
His expression changed when he noticed Naomi.
He approached her with a forced smile.
SEBASTIAN: "I didn't think you'd actually come."
NAOMI: "I was invited."
SEBASTIAN: "You should have stayed away."
NAOMI: "I'm here for the benefit."
SEBASTIAN: "You always have to make everything about yourself."
Naomi tried to walk past him.
Sebastian moved into her path.
SEBASTIAN: "I'm talking to you."
NAOMI: "Then speak respectfully."
His face tightened.
The argument escalated quickly.
Sebastian accused her of embarrassing the family. Naomi refused to leave. Eleanor approached and immediately took her son's side.
Then Sebastian raised his hand.
The first slap landed.
The second followed.
Naomi's face turned sharply, and a small trace of blood appeared at her lip.
She did not strike him back.
She did not shout.
She simply stood there, fighting back tears while hundreds of people watched.
And that was the moment everything changed.
At the front of the ballroom, one retired officer slowly pushed his chair backward and stood.
Another veteran followed.
Then another.
The sound of chair legs scraping across the marble floor began spreading through the room.
Naomi looked up.
The people who had been seated around the banquet tables were rising one after another.
Four hundred Navy veterans, retired officers, and serving personnel stood together.
Many raised their hands in a formal salute.
The sight left Sebastian speechless.
Eleanor's champagne glass trembled.
A distinguished older officer stepped into the central aisle. His name was Master Chief Daniel Brooks. He was sixty years old, with decades of service behind him and a face that showed both concern and determination.
He approached Naomi and stopped in front of her.
MASTER CHIEF BROOKS: "Admiral Montgomery."
Sebastian's expression changed.
MASTER CHIEF BROOKS: "Are you injured, ma'am?"
Naomi took a breath.
NAOMI: "I'm all right, Master Chief. Thank you."
Brooks looked at the blood near her lip.
MASTER CHIEF BROOKS: "Security, keep that man away from her. Call the police."
Two security officers immediately began moving toward Sebastian.
He stepped backward, nearly striking a banquet table.
SEBASTIAN: "Wait. Admiral?"
Eleanor stared at Naomi's uniform.
ELEANOR: "What did he just call you?"
Naomi finally turned toward her mother.
NAOMI: "Admiral."