Richard Vance, Julian's father and the CEO of Vance Capital, pushed through the crowd of guests.
He adjusted his silk tie, his face dark with suppressed anger as he stepped right into his son's path.
Richard: You've made quite a spectacle of yourself today, Julian.
Julian: Out of my way, father.
Richard: Is this how you repay twenty-eight years of private schools, luxury vacations, and corporate backing?
Julian: You didn't raise a son, dad. You raised an investment project to show off at charity galas.
Richard: That investment project gives you access to a fifty-million-dollar estate fund!
Julian: Keep your fifty million. Give it to someone who cares about your social status.
Richard: You step outside these doors with that girl, and I will call every bank in the city. Your business credit cards will be frozen in five minutes.
Julian: I closed those corporate accounts yesterday morning, father. My startup operates on an independent credit line now.
Richard froze, his eyes narrowing in genuine surprise.
Richard: You what?
Julian: Did you really think I didn't see what you and mother were planning? You tried to buy out my partner's shares last week.
Richard: We were securing a majority stake for the family corporation!
Julian: You were trying to take control of my life so I couldn't marry Chloe!
Chloe: Mr. Vance, Julian has worked eighty hours a week building his company without taking a single dollar from your estate.
Richard: Quiet, girl! You have no standing to address me!
Julian: Talk to my wife like that again, and we'll see if the second slap of the day lands on your jaw instead of mother's!
The crowd gasped again at Julian's bold threat.
Richard: You would raise a hand to your own father?
Julian: You stood by and watched mother hire a corrupt lawyer to intimidate my bride. You're just as guilty as she is.
Evelyn: Richard, do something! He threw my grandmother's ring in a glass of champagne!
Richard: Evelyn, remain quiet! You've already caused enough of a disaster today!
Evelyn: Me?! I was trying to save our money from this gold digger!
Richard: By creating a public scene in front of our biggest shareholders?! Look around you, Evelyn! Half the board is calling their lawyers right now!
Julian: Looks like your precious reputation is crumbling, dad. And you can't buy your way out of this one.
Richard: Julian, listen to reason. We can fix this quietly. We'll sign a new agreement. A private settlement.
Julian: There are no more settlements, father. You lost your son today.
Julian took Chloe's hand into his, gripping it tightly as they stepped past Richard toward the massive glass doors.
Richard: If you walk out now, you are never allowed back onto the Vance property! You hear me?! Never!
Julian: Keep your property, dad. We're going to build a real home.
The heavy doors swung open, letting in the bright afternoon sunlight as Julian and Chloe walked out into the crisp air together, leaving the chaos of the luxury ballroom far behind them.