Julian: Touch him again, and I will make sure you lose everything you own before the night is over[cite: 1].
Red-Haired Woman: Julian?! How dare you push me on the floor in front of everyone! Do you know who I am?!
Julian: I know exactly who you are, Victoria[cite: 1]. You're a greedy leech trying to destroy my family.
Victoria sat on the polished marble floor, her deep velvet dress rumpled and her red hair falling out of its neat pin[cite: 1]. Murmurs erupted across the ballroom as hundreds of well-dressed guests pointed and whispered in utter disbelief[cite: 1]. Victoria tried to scramble to her feet, but her heels slipped slightly on the slick stone floor[cite: 1].
Victoria: This servant girl is hiding my nephew! She took him from the private nursery upstairs!
Clara: I did not take him anywhere, ma'am! He came running to me for help because he was terrified[cite: 1]!
Boy: She hit me, Uncle Julian! She told me my daddy was dead and that I had to leave the house!
Julian dropped to his knees in front of Clara and the crying child[cite: 1]. He reached out, gently pulling the boy away from Clara's uniform and placing his hands on his nephew's shoulders[cite: 1]. His face softened as he looked into the boy's tear-streaked eyes[cite: 1].
Julian: Leo, look at me[cite: 1]. Did she lay a hand on you upstairs?
Leo: She locked me in the storage closet! She said if I came down to the party, she'd send me away to an orphanage!
Julian: She will never touch you again, Leo. I promise you on my life.
Victoria: He's lying! The boy is disturbed! He has emotional problems ever since your brother passed away!
Clara: He isn't lying! Look at his wrist! There's a red mark where someone grabbed him!
Julian looked down at the boy's small arm, noticing the dark red bruises forming on his delicate skin[cite: 1]. His jaw clenched tight, a vein bulging on his forehead as he turned his head to glare back at Victoria[cite: 1].
Julian: You put your hands on my brother's son inside my own estate?
Victoria: He has no right to be at this gala, Julian! This evening was organized for board members and investors, not spoiled toddlers!
Julian: This entire estate belongs to Leo! His father's will passed seventy percent of the company shares directly to him!
Victoria: That will was never officially validated by the probate court! As his legal aunt, I have executive authority until he turns twenty-one!
Clara: You don't care about his authority or his life! You just wanted to scare him so he wouldn't tell anyone what you've been doing!