Arthur lunged forward and grabbed the scalding iron handle directly out of Leo's trembling hands.
He ignored the searing pain on his own palms as he lifted the heavy dish high.
With a furious roar, Arthur slammed the skillet hard down onto the center of the table.
The impact shattered ceramic plates and sent hot food splashing across the white tablecloth.
Guests screamed in terror, scrambling backward away from the flying debris and burning gravy.
Sarah threw her arms around Leo, pulling the sobbing boy safely away from the table.
She immediately inspected his reddened palms, wiping away his tears with her soft sweater sleeves.
Arthur turned around slowly, his chest heaving as he stared down his elegant mother.
The silver dress was now stained with spilled sauce, but Evelyn looked more outraged than ashamed.
Arthur pointed a trembling finger directly toward the wide front door of his home.
He yelled at the top of his lungs, telling every single guest to leave right now.
The wealthy visitors did not hesitate, quickly grabbing their coats and heading for the exit.
Evelyn stood her ground, smoothing out her dress while scolding Arthur for his disgraceful behavior.
She claimed that he was ruining her reputation in front of important business contacts.
Arthur stepped right up into his mother's face, his voice shaking with absolute protective rage.
He told her to never put her cruel hands near his child ever again.
Evelyn raised her chin snobbishly, telling him that he was an ungrateful and weak son.
She refused to leave, claiming she had paid for the expensive dinner party herself.
Sarah held Leo tightly in the corner, covering the boy's ears from the loud screaming.
Arthur realized that reasoning with a narcissist like his mother was completely impossible.
The room echoed with the lingering sound of his mother's bitter, heartless scolding.
Arthur decided that he was done protecting her feelings at the expense of his family.