Valeria: What did you just say to me?
Julian: You heard me clearly, Valeria. I asked you to leave my property.
Valeria: Your property? Who do you think you are? I was invited by the board of directors!
Arthur: Mind your tone, young man! Do you know who this lady is? She is Valeria Vance, the wife of the main sponsor for tonight's charity gala!
Julian took a slow sip from his champagne glass, his expression completely unbothered by Arthur's stern voice.
Julian: I know exactly who she is, Arthur. And I also know that her husband's sponsorship check bounced two days ago.
Valeria's face went completely pale. She clutched her diamond necklace with her right hand, her fingers shaking slightly.
Valeria: That... that is a lie! My husband's company has millions in liquid assets!
Julian: Your husband's firm filed for bankruptcy protection at four o'clock this afternoon. You aren't a sponsor anymore, Valeria. You are a trespasser.
Arthur: Is this true, Valeria? What is he talking about?
Valeria: He's making it up, Arthur! He's just an arrogant nobody trying to embarrass us in front of the press!
The crowd of guests leaned in closer, whispering among themselves as the tension in the room skyrocketed.
Julian: I don't need to make anything up. I own the Sterling Estate, I own the company that catering service works for, and I own the mortgage on your penthouse downtown.
Julian turned his eyes toward the young waitress who was still standing nervously beside the table.
Julian: What is your name, young lady?
Elena: My... my name is Elena, sir.
Julian: Set that tray down, Elena. You don't need to serve these people another drink tonight.
Elena: Sir? Am I fired?
Julian: Fired? Absolutely not. In fact, you've just been promoted to assistant event manager for the Sterling Foundation.
Elena gasped, clutching her hands over her mouth as tears of shock filled her eyes.
Elena: Sir... I don't know what to say. Thank you so much!
Valeria: Are you insane?! You're promoting a common waitress while insulting the most influential family in this city?!
Julian: A woman who works hard to support her family has far more dignity than a woman who wears fake diamonds to hide her cruelty.
Valeria: Fake diamonds?! These are real imported diamonds!
Julian: Check the receipt from your husband's vault, Valeria. He swapped your real collection for cubic zirconia six months ago to pay off his gambling debts.
Valeria gasped for air, looking down at her glittering necklace as if it had suddenly turned into a poisonous snake.
Valeria: No... no! That's impossible! You're lying!
Julian: Ask Arthur. He was the one who authorized the wire transfer from the holding account.
Valeria spun around to face Arthur, her eyes burning with pure fury and betrayal.
Valeria: Arthur! Is he telling the truth?! Did Richard swap my jewels?!
Arthur adjusted his bowtie nervously, looking away from Valeria's gaze as his cheeks turned bright red.
Arthur: Valeria, please... this isn't the right place to discuss private business matters.
Valeria: Answer me, Arthur! Did my husband sell my grandmother's diamonds?!
Arthur: It was necessary for the company's cash flow! We were going to buy them back next month!
Valeria let out a shrill scream of anger, raising her hand and slapping Arthur hard across the face.
The loud impact echoed through the ballroom, causing every guest in the room to stop talking instantly.