Arthur: Belle! Oh God, Belle!
Arthur dropped to his knees on the cold floor, his hands trembling as he reached for the tight knot behind her head.
Belle: *Muffled sobbing*
Arthur: Hold still, sweetie. I've got you. I'm going to get this off.
Lord Sterling: Don't touch her! Security, clear this corridor immediately!
Lady Evelyn: Sterling, what is the meaning of this?! Is that your son's bride bound on the floor?!
Lord Sterling: Evelyn, stay out of this! It's a private family matter!
Arthur: A private matter?! You locked my sister in a storage closet on her wedding day!
Arthur pulled the thick cloth away from Belle's face. She gasped violently for air, clutching her brother's arms.
Belle: Arthur... he took my phone... he wouldn't let me leave...
Arthur: I'm here now, Belle. Nobody is going to touch you.
Lord Sterling: Arthur, you don't understand the full situation here. Step outside so we can discuss this like civilized men.
Arthur: Discuss what?! The fact that you tied up a helpless woman so your son could steal her inheritance trust fund?!
The crowd of high-society guests gasped, whispering furiously among themselves.
Guest 1: Did he say inheritance?
Guest 2: Isn't she the sole heir to the Montgomery estate?
Lord Sterling: Silence! All of you, return to the reception hall right now!
Belle: He made me sign the prenup papers, Arthur... he said if I didn't sign over my trust fund, I'd never leave this estate alive...
Arthur: Where is Richard?! Where is your monster of a son?!
Lord Sterling: Richard is doing what is necessary for the merger of our family businesses!
Arthur: You are all insane!
Arthur helped Belle stand up. Her knees wobbled, but he kept his arm firmly around her waist, supporting her weight.
Belle: He forced me to wear this silver dress... he told everyone I was resting upstairs because I was sick...
Lady Evelyn: Sterling, you told us she had a migraine! You lied to all of us!
Lord Sterling: Evelyn, I advise you to mind your own business if you want your firm's contract renewed next month!
Lady Evelyn: Are you threatening me, Lord Sterling?
Lord Sterling: I am telling you that the Sterling family controls this city, and a simple domestic misunderstanding will not ruin our reputation!
Arthur: This isn't a misunderstanding. It's kidnapping and extortion.
Lord Sterling: Call it whatever you want, boy. You have no proof of anything.
Belle: The papers... Arthur, the forged trust fund papers are in his jacket pocket!
Lord Sterling's hand twitched, instinctively pulling his cream suit coat tighter around his chest.
Arthur: Hand them over, Sterling.
Lord Sterling: Touch me and my security team will throw you out onto the street in pieces.
Arthur: Try it.
Arthur stepped forward, shielding Belle behind his back. The tension in the hallway was suffocating as the heavy footsteps of guards approached from the main stairs.
Guard 1: Sir! Is there a problem here?
Lord Sterling: Detain this young man. He broke into a private room and assaulted my property.
Belle: I am not property! I am a human being!
Arthur: Don't come any closer!
The guard reached for his belt, but before he could step forward, a sharp, loud voice echoed from the top of the grand staircase.
Richard: Father! What is taking so long down there?! The registrar is waiting to finalize the marriage certificate!
Richard stepped into view, wearing a sharp black tuxedo, holding a fountain pen in his hand.
Richard: What is he doing out of the foyer?!
Arthur: You coward!
Arthur didn't hesitate. He lunged across the marble floor, driving his fist straight into Richard's jaw.