Brandon: You think calling your fake father is going to save you now?
Maya: I tried to tell you the truth, Brandon. You refused to listen.
Maya struggled to sit up on the slick marble floor, her silk robe covered in dust and spilled champagne. Chloe took a step closer, pointing a manicured finger directly at Maya's face.
Chloe: Look at you, pathetic! Crawling around on the floor where you belong!
Maya: You know very well I was staying in the penthouse suite upstairs.
Chloe: You were the cleaning girl for all I care! You had no right to step foot in my private suite!
Brandon: Chloe, calm down. Don't let this trash ruin our special day.
Brandon adjusted his black tuxedo jacket, brushing off his sleeves as if touching Maya had dirtied his hands. The guests whispered loudly among themselves.
Guest 1: Isn't that the girl who was seen near the VIP elevators this morning?
Guest 2: Why is she in a silk robe at a million-dollar wedding?
Guest 3: Did she really try to steal the bride's diamond necklace?
Maya wiped her face with the back of her hand, her voice raspy from crying.
Maya: I didn't steal a single thing. I came down here to find the hall manager because the penthouse key card stopped working!
Chloe: Oh, give me a break! You snuck down the back stairs because you knew security was distracted!
Brandon: Maya, you've been a thorn in my side ever since my family took over the hotel management contract. You always act like you own the place!
Maya: Brandon, your father's company manages this hall, but you don't own it.
Brandon: Shut your mouth! My family is about to merge with Chloe's empire today. We own whatever we want!
Brandon grabbed Maya's silver clutch purse off the floor and dumped its contents right onto the marble. A small lipstick, a valet ticket, and a gold keycard spilled out.
Chloe: Where is my ring?! Where did you hide it?!
Maya: I don't have your stupid ring, Chloe! Check your own jewelry box!
Brandon: DON'T DISGRACE MY FAMILY! You came here to embarrass me in front of five hundred high-society guests!
Maya: You embarrassed yourself the moment you put your hands on me, Brandon.
Chloe: Kick her out, Brandon! Call the guards and throw her in jail!
Brandon: Guards! Where is security?! Get this crazy woman out of my sight!
Two venue security guards stepped forward hesitantly, looking uncomfortable as they saw Maya crying on the ground.
Guard 1: Sir, is there a problem here?
Brandon: Are you blind?! Drag her out! She assaulted my bride and stole from her room!
Maya: I didn't touch her! She kicked me!
Chloe: LET THEM CHECK THE THINGS! Check her pockets! Check inside her robe!
Maya held her phone tight against her chest, her thumb pressing the screen. The call was still connected.
Maya: Dad... did you hear what they just said to me?
Voice on Phone: I heard every single word, sweetheart. I am outside the front gates right now.
Maya: DAD, DESTROY THEM!
Brandon scoffed, turning to his father who was sitting in the front row wearing a dark blue suit.
Brandon: Dad, can you believe this girl? Threatening us with her nobody father?
Groom's Father: Brandon, just have security handle it quietly. We have press arriving in ten minutes.
Chloe: No! I want her arrested right here! I want everyone to see what happens to poor gold-diggers who mess with me!
Maya looked up at the high ceiling, taking a deep, shuddering breath. The sound of heavy footsteps began to echo from the outer foyer.
Maya: You have five seconds to apologize, Brandon. Both of you.
Brandon: Apologize to you? You're out of your mind!
Suddenly, the air in the room shifted. A heavy thud shook the double wooden doors at the back of the white hall, making the crystal chandeliers rattle overhead.