Juliette: Girls, I need to tell you something about my graduation banquet.
Miranda: What about it? You've already shown us the dress you bought for it.
Juliette: I don't mean to talk dresses. It's something more important this time. Listen... I'm going to announce my engagement to Romeo to the family at the banquet dinner.
Miranda: OMW, so he's proposed already?? That's so exciting!!!
Hermia: Juliette, that's a— oh, congrats, by the way, but that's a horrible idea! Granddad is gonna be RAGING.
Juliette: Maybe he is. But I'm gonna make it clear once and for all that this is what I choose, and if he disowns me for it, so be it.
Hermia: But can you not save it for later? You know he's been having problems with his heart, you're gonna give him a heart attack right there and then.
Juliette: No, that's exactly why I can't. I have a feeling he's preparing to announce the next heir at the gathering.
Miranda and Hermia both gasped.
Miranda: I don't think I'm ready to hear that!
Juliette: Why? We all know he's chosen me, don't we? And that's why I need to make myself as clear as possible. I can not take the business.
Miranda: Whoa, that's a little self-centered though, isn't it, Julie? How do you know he still has you in mind above all? After all, I'm still the eldest daughter's eldest daughter, it should be me. Not that I want it of course, but strictly speaking, by the right of primogeniture, it would—
Hermia: Stop the history talk, you know that's long not been the case here. He never wanted to give it to your mum, he's been saving it for our mum ever since Grandma died. And after her death, it's always been Julie, you know that. He doesn't care about laws, he only ever cared about putting someone there that he can easily control.
Juliette: What, do you think I'm easy to control?
Hermia: Not anymore, that's for sure.
Miranda: But what does that even matter to him when he'll be six feet under?
Hermia: Hell knows, I bet he's planning to stick around and haunt us for the rest of our lives anyway.
Juliette: So much for a matriarchal dynasty...
Miranda: But you don't want the title either, Hermia, right?
Hermia: Of course I don't! And I'm anxious I'll be his second choice after Julie.
Miranda: You know what I've been thinking? ... Why are we so opposed to taking over the company after all? I mean... surely we would benefit from it financially at least.
Hermia: Are you serious? Don't even get me started. All the shady business, the exploitation of workers, the bad political affiliation... There's no way we could correct all that within the company and wash its reputation clean during our entire lifetime. I don't wanna be associated with that, and I'm sure nor do you.
Miranda: You're right. But maybe we could just like... sell it?
Juliette: We're not selling the family's legacy, are you mad? Sure, it's not in a perfect state, but Grandma worked so hard to keep it going, and she was so proud of its achievements, remember?
Hermia and Miranda started shaking their head in unison.
Juliette: Right, you guys were too young. Okay. Either way, I don't really know what we're arguing about anymore.
Miranda: You're right, I kinda lost track. It's clear none of us want the role, and we're definitely not going to find a solution tonight.
Hermia: Fine, let's call it a night and just hope for the best. After all, none of us know what Granddad is really thinking. But dear Watcher, if I end up getting the short end of this.....
Ripp: Finally! What took you so long with dinner?
Miranda: Ah, those two are at it again, trying to solve the family issues.
Ripp: The heiress problem again?
Miranda: Yup. ... But anyway, guess what, Juliette and Romeo are engaged!!! Her ring is sooo pretty.
