The deep red wine splashed across Arthur's pristine white tuxedo shirt and face, dripping down onto his silk lapels.
Arthur: You absolute lunatic! That suit cost five thousand dollars!
Valeria: It was bought with my stolen family money, you thief!
The man with the smartphone moved closer, capturing every single second of the dramatic fight on video.
Guest 1: Is someone live-streaming this? This is incredible!
Guest 2: Valeria Vance just completely lost her mind. Wait till the newspapers get hold of this tomorrow!
Julian raised a hand toward the head of security, who was standing quietly near the entrance doors.
Julian: Officer Thomas, please escort Mr. Arthur Vance off the property. He is no longer welcome at the Sterling Estate.
Arthur: You don't have the legal authority to kick me out! I am a senior board member of the city foundation!
Julian: The board held an emergency vote twenty minutes ago, Arthur. You were officially removed due to pending financial fraud investigations.
Two tall security guards stepped up on either side of Arthur, grabbing his arms firmly and lifting him off his feet.
Arthur: Let go of me! Do you know who I am?! I will sue every single one of you!
Officer Thomas: Walk peacefully, sir, or we will hand you directly over to the police officers waiting at the front gate.
Arthur struggled uselessly against the guard's grip as he was dragged down the long marble corridor, his red-stained tuxedo shining under the chandeliers.
Valeria stood alone in the center of the floor, her fake diamond necklace glittering uselessly under the lights.
Valeria: Julian... please. We've known each other for years. You can't do this to me in front of everyone.
Julian: Five minutes ago, you told a young girl she stunk and threatened to throw her onto the street for making an innocent mistake.
Valeria: I was stressed! I wasn't thinking clearly!
Julian: Being stressed shows who you truly are on the inside, Valeria. Money didn't make you cruel; it just gave you an excuse to show it.
Elena: I hope you learn how it feels to have nothing, Mrs. Vance. Maybe then you'll learn how to treat people with respect.
Valeria: Shut up, you worthless little—
Julian: That's enough!
Julian's voice boomed across the ballroom, instantly cutting off Valeria's bitter insult.
Julian: You will not speak another rude word to anyone in this house. Security will escort you to your vehicle now.
Valeria: I'm not leaving! My coat is in the VIP lounge!
Julian: Your coat has already been packed and placed in the trunk of your taxi. Your personal vehicle was repossessed by the bank an hour ago.
Valeria's eyes opened wide in pure horror as she realized she had nowhere left to run.
Valeria: Repossessed?! My Bentley was parked right in front of the fountain!
Julian: Not anymore. The tow truck just left the driveway.
A collective murmur of shock went through the crowd. Valeria looked around the room, desperately searching for a single friendly face, but every guest turned their head away from her.
Valeria: Please... someone give me a ride home. I don't have my credit cards with me.
Nobody moved. Nobody offered a word of help.
Officer Thomas: Ma'am, the taxi is waiting at the front gate. Step this way.
Valeria lifted the skirt of her sequin gown, her head held low as she began the long, humiliating walk down the center aisle toward the grand exit doors.