Rapid heavy footsteps echoed across the wooden walkway leading to the patio.
A tall man in a tailored charcoal grey suit strode quickly past the guests.
Mark Vance had just arrived from the airport after a long flight across the country.
His eyes scanned the bright terrace until they locked onto his young daughter kneeling down.
He caught Lily's small wrist gently before she could eat the fallen piece of fruit.
Mark: Stop, sweetheart, put that down right now.
Lily dropped the melon back onto the stone floor and looked up in relief.
Lily: Daddy, they wouldn't let me eat anything from the big tables.
Her trembling voice cut straight through the surrounding murmurs of the crowd.
Mark knelt down on the hard patio, ignoring the dust on his trousers.
He wrapped his strong arms around Lily and lifted her safely to her feet.
His eyes took in the shattered glass and the dark stains on her navy dress.
Mark: Who did this to your clothes, Lily?
Lily pointed a small finger toward the elderly woman standing nearby.
Lily: Grandma kicked my plate right out of my hands.
Mark stood up slowly, his tall frame blocking the bright afternoon sun.
His jaw tightened as his face hardened into an expression of pure rage.
He looked at Eleanor, who met his stern stare without any sign of regret.
Eleanor: She needed to learn her place in this household, Mark.
Victoria stepped up beside Eleanor, tossing her hair over her glittering shoulder.
Victoria: She deserved nothing less after embarrassing us in front of our guests.
Mark took a deep breath, his hands clenching into tight fists at his sides.
Mark: She is a seven-year-old child who wanted lunch at a family party.
Eleanor: This party was organized for distinguished members of our estate board.
Mark: This estate belongs to my late mother, not to your board.
The guests around the patio began whispering among themselves in hushed tones.
Mark motioned over his shoulder toward two large men standing near his car.
His personal security guards immediately stepped forward onto the terrace.
Mark: Hold my daughter's hand and escort her safely to the car.
The guard nodded politely and led Lily toward the air-conditioned SUV.
Lily held the guard's hand tightly, looking back at her father with trusting eyes.
Lily: Are you coming with us, Daddy?
Mark: I will be right there as soon as I finish talking with your grandmother.
Mark turned his full attention back toward the long dining table.
The buffet was piled high with expensive seafood, roasted meats, and three-tiered cakes.
He stepped closer to the head of the banquet table with steady purpose.