Carter: This is ridiculous. You are a catering staff member.
Maya: I don't care about your party, Carter. I care about my child.
Carter: Guards, remove this woman immediately. She is harassing my family.
Security Guard: Sir... the little girl is holding onto her coat.
Carter: I said get her out of here!
Chloe clung to Maya's waitress apron, burying her face into her mother's chest.
Chloe: Don't let them take me, Mommy! He said you went away forever!
Maya: I never left you, Chloe. I searched everywhere for you.
Maya stood up slowly, keeping her body shielded between Carter and the little girl. Her hands were shaking, but her voice was loud enough for every wealthy guest in the hallway to hear.
Maya: You stole her from the hospital four years ago, Carter.
Carter: Shut your mouth right now!
Maya: You bribed the state social worker while I was in a coma from the car accident!
Carter took a sharp step forward, his face turning pale under the bright chandeliers.
Carter: You have no proof of anything you are saying.
Maya: My lawyer has the DNA records, Carter. And my father's trust fund papers.
A murmur broke out among the crowd of guests. Several people pulled out their smartphones, pointing their cameras directly at Carter.
Guest 1: Is that Arthur Sterling's eldest daughter?
Guest 2: I thought she died in that car crash four years ago!
Carter: Everyone put your phones away! Security, clear this room!
Maya: You wanted the Sterling family inheritance, Carter. You knew the will stated that the entire estate went to Arthur's legal biological grandchild.
Carter: You were unfit! You were broke and living in a rental apartment!
Maya: Because you locked my bank accounts while I was in the ICU!
Chloe pulled on Maya's hand, looking up with tears in her big brown eyes.
Chloe: Mommy, he keeps me in the big room upstairs. He never lets me go to the park.
Maya: You're coming home with me today, Chloe. Nobody is going to hide you again.
Carter reached into his tuxedo coat and pulled out his cell phone, his fingers tapping frantically on the screen.
Carter: I'm calling my divorce lawyer and the police chief right now. You are trespassing on private property.
Maya: Go ahead and call them, Carter. Tell them the true heir of the Sterling mansion is standing right here on the marble floor.
Carter: You think a waitress uniform gives you authority here?
Maya: No. A birth certificate does.
Carter pressed the phone to his ear, pacing back and forth across the white marble, his forehead dripping with sweat.
Carter: Vance? Pick up the phone, Vance!
David Vance: Carter? Why are you calling me during the charity gala?
Carter: She's here! Maya is in the main hall right now with the kid!
David Vance: What?! You told me she moved out of the state two years ago!
Carter: She worked her way onto the catering team! She's making a massive scene in front of the board of directors!
David Vance: Carter... listen to me carefully. Do not touch her, and do not let security touch that child.
Carter: Why not?! This is my house!
David Vance: It's not your house, Carter. The probate judge signed the emergency injunction ten minutes ago.