Howard: Six months ago, my son told me he found the love of his life. He told me Chloe came from an old-money family in Boston.
Chloe: We do! My family has history!
Howard: Your father ran a failed real estate company that went bankrupt three years ago, Chloe. He owes over two million dollars to federal tax authorities.
A collective gasp rippled through the rows of seated guests. Chloe's mother, sitting in the front row, immediately buried her face in her hands.
Chloe: That's private family business! You have no right to broadcast that to everyone!
Howard: I have every right when your father asked me for a personal loan of five hundred thousand dollars yesterday during the rehearsal dinner!
Julian: What? Mr. Miller asked you for a loan?
Howard: He told me if I didn't give him the money, he would file for bankruptcy again and humiliate our family name before the wedding photos came out.
Chloe: He was just trying to protect our family business!
Howard: He was trying to blackmail me, Chloe. And you knew all about it.
Chloe took a quick step back, her high heels catching in the soft dirt near the fountain.
Chloe: I didn't know anything about a loan! I swear I didn't!
Howard: Don't lie to me. I reviewed the text messages on my son's phone this morning while he was getting dressed.
Julian: Dad! You went through my phone?!
Howard: I looked at the messages because your bank account was emptied yesterday afternoon, Julian! Two hundred thousand dollars transferred directly into Chloe's personal account!
Julian turned his head slowly, looking at his bride with complete shock in his eyes.
Julian: Chloe... you told me that transfer was for the floral arrangements and the main orchestra!
Chloe: It was! Most of it went to the vendors!
Howard: The vendors were all paid directly from my corporate trust fund last month, Chloe. You wired that money straight to your father's offshore account in the Caymans.
Maya stood quietly near the water, watching the arrogant bride slowly crumble as the truth was exposed line by line.
Chloe: Julian, he's twisting things! He never liked me! He's just trying to control your life!
Howard: I welcomed you into my home, Chloe. I paid for your engagement ring, your bridal shower, and this entire two-hundred-thousand-dollar reception.
Chloe: Then why are you doing this to me right now?!
Howard: Because I wanted to see if you had a single shred of decency in your heart. And five minutes ago, you proved to everyone here that you don't.
Maya: Sir... you don't have to cause all this trouble on my account.
Howard: It isn't just on your account, my dear. It's about how people treat those they think are beneath them.
Howard walked over to Maya, resting a gentle hand on her wet shoulder.
Howard: Do you know who this young lady is, Chloe?
Chloe: She's a low-paid catering server who can't even carry a tray without falling into a fountain!
Howard: Her name is Maya Lin. She is a pre-med student at Columbia University, working three jobs to pay her tuition without taking out predatory loans.
Chloe rolled her eyes, turning her shoulder toward the crowd.
Chloe: I don't care what school she goes to! She's hired help!
Howard: Her father was my senior business partner for twenty years before he passed away, Chloe.