Julian: Mommy's letters? Victoria, what was she talking about?
Victoria: She's making up stories, Julian! You know how imaginative she is! She's traumatized and confusing things!
Julian: My daughter doesn't lie, Victoria. But you've been acting suspicious ever since the estate lawyers mentioned the trust fund revision last week.
Victoria: I came here to support my dead sister's family! Is this the thanks I get? Being accused by a toddler and a housemaid?!
A male guest in a tailored black suit stepped out from the crowd, holding a champagne glass. It was Arthur, a long-time board member of the Vance family's logistics company and Victoria's frequent companion.
Arthur: Now wait a second, Julian. Let's not make a public scene in front of the entire board and the press. Let's take this upstairs to the office.
Julian: Stay out of this, Arthur. This is my home and my family.
Victoria: No! We are ending this right now! Give me that damn bunny, kid!
Victoria lunged forward again, her fingers outstretched like talons toward the small stuffed animal in Lily's grip. Arthur tried to catch her shoulder to restrain her, but Victoria spun around and violently shoved him backward.
Arthur: Victoria, stop it!
Arthur lost his footing on the slick marble floor. He fell backward with a heavy crash, colliding with a heavy wooden side table stacked with expensive antique glass artwork. The wood splintered with a deafening snap, sending glass ornaments shattering across the floor in a shower of sharp fragments. Several women in the crowd screamed and scattered back.
Evelyn: Someone call security! Right now!
Victoria: I don't care about your stupid table! Give me those letters!
Victoria stepped right over the broken glass, her face twisted in a mask of unhinged greed as she reached directly for Lily's head. Julian's patience completely broke. Before her hand could reach his daughter, Julian brought his right hand across in a sharp, blinding motion. The loud impact of the slap echoed through the grand hall like a gunshot.
Victoria: Ah!
The force of the hit sent Victoria stumbling backward. Her heels caught on the edge of a large, cloth-covered picture frame resting against the display wall, and she crashed flat onto her back among the scattered debris on the marble floor.