Arthur stepped out through the tall glass doors of the mansion into the bright sunshine.
He instantly noticed the small crowd gathered near the edge of the stone patio.
His eyes caught his small son kneeling on the dirty ground near shattered china plates.
Arthur moved across the stone terrace with fast, heavy footsteps that cut through the garden chatter.
He reached down immediately and caught Leo’s arm gently before the boy could eat the fallen cake.
Arthur pulled his little boy up into his strong arms and held him tight against his chest.
Leo wrapped his tiny arms around his father’s neck and buried his face into Arthur’s dark blue suit jacket.
Leo: Daddy, they wouldn't let me eat anything at the big table.
Leo: She kicked my plate and told me I was bad.
Arthur looked down at the dark berry stains on his son's small suit jacket.
A cold, fierce silence fell over the father as his jaw tightened in absolute fury.
He turned his gaze toward Victoria, who stood with her chin held high without an ounce of regret.
Evelyn stepped forward, smoothing down the front of her sparkling golden dress.
Evelyn: Don't look at us with that tone, Arthur.
Evelyn: He deserved much worse than that for pushing his way to the main food table!
Arthur: He is a four-year-old child who asked for a slice of cake.
Victoria: He does not carry our family bloodline, and he does not sit at my table.
Victoria: You brought him here against my explicit instructions today.
Arthur slowly lowered his son back down to the ground behind his legs to keep him safe.
He gestured for his personal driver to step forward from the driveway.
Arthur: Take Leo inside to the car right now and keep the air conditioning running.
The driver nodded respectfully and took the little boy’s hand, leading him away from the tense crowd.
Once his son was safely out of sight, Arthur turned back toward the family gathering.
The low rumble of anger in his chest was visible to everyone standing on the terrace.
Arthur: You have crossed a line today that you can never fix.