David stood up smoothly, cradling his weeping daughter firmly against his left shoulder.
His eyes remained fixed on Evelyn, who took a half-step back in sudden uncertainty.
The crowd below had gone completely silent as the tension in the room reached a peak.
David: You crossed a line tonight that you can never step back from!
Evelyn: Mind your tone, David, remember where we are standing right now!
David stepped forward, his posture rigid and commanding as he closed the distance between them.
With his free right hand, he reached out and forcefully shoved Evelyn back into the wall.
The sudden impact snapped her pink pearl necklace, sending pearls bouncing across the floor.
The small beads clattered sharply against the marble, scattering in every direction like hail.
Evelyn stumbled back, clutching her neck in total shock and mounting terror.
She had never seen David lose his composure or act with such intense authority.
Evelyn: How dare you touch me in front of these people!
David: DON'T YOU EVER COME NEAR MY CHILD AGAIN!
His voice boomed across the marble hall, echoing loudly off the high vaulted ceilings.
Guests on the lower floor backed away, watching the confrontation unfold in absolute silence.
Mark hurried up the stairs, placing himself between David and the trembling woman.
Mark: David, keep calm, I saw what she did with the baby!
David: She tried to endanger my daughter just to hurt me over the estate!
Evelyn: He's lying, Mark, he just slipped and panicked!
Mark: Shut up, Evelyn, the security cameras on the pillar caught the whole thing.
Evelyn's face turned completely pale as she glanced up at the small black camera lens above.
She had forgotten about the newly installed security system in the upper gallery.
David held his crying daughter close, kissing the side of her soft little head.
David: It's over, Evelyn. Your games end right here, tonight.
Evelyn: You can't ruin my reputation over a simple mistake!
David: It wasn't a mistake, it was a crime, and everyone knows it now.
Evelyn looked around at the faces of the board members standing nearby on the balcony.
Every single person was glaring at her with disgust and deep disappointment.