Julian walked upstairs toward the second-floor balcony to find a quiet space.
The balcony overlooked the entire marble foyer where hundreds of guests were drinking champagne.
He gently patted Lily's back as she began to squirm in his arms.
The soft sound of classical music echoed off the high plaster ceilings.
Suddenly, heavy footfalls sounded on the hardwood floor right behind him.
Julian turned around to see Evelyn standing in the balcony doorway with a sneer.
Evelyn: You cannot run away from the lawyer's demands forever, Julian.
Julian: We will let the judge decide the estate settlement next week.
Evelyn: The entire fortune belongs to me, not to a disgraced son and his child.
Julian: Father wanted Lily to be provided for, and you know it.
Evelyn stepped closer, her heels clicking loudly on the hard floor.
Lily woke up from the raised voices and started to cry softly.
Evelyn: Give her to me so I can quiet her down before you ruin the party.
Julian: Stop, Evelyn! You are scaring her!
Evelyn lunged forward and grabbed the baby's soft carrier strap with sudden force.
Julian stumbled back against the white marble railing of the high balcony.
The baby's cries grew louder as the two adults pulled in opposite directions.
Evelyn: Let go of her, Julian!
Julian: Are you out of your mind? Get your hands off my child!
Guests down in the foyer started looking up toward the balcony in confusion.
Evelyn used her weight to push Julian back against the decorative stone pillar.
Her face twisted into an unnatural mask of pure malicious anger.
She reached over and snatched Lily away from Julian's grip with a sudden jerk.
Julian lost his footing on the polished floor and fell backward onto his knees.
Julian: Evelyn, no! Give her back to me right now!
Evelyn held the screaming child up high near the balcony edge.
Her cold gaze fixed on Julian as he scrambled to get back to his feet.
Evelyn: You should have accepted the court settlement when you had the chance.
Julian: Please, Evelyn, don't do this!
The entire hall fell silent as people realized what was happening high above them.
Evelyn leaned over the railing, her grip loosening intentionally on the child's clothes.
Evelyn: Oops!
A sharp collective gasp echoed through the crowd below as she let go.