Arthur slowly stood up from the small velvet bench with his heavy leather folder.
He wanted to present a special family document to his son before the main speech.
His weak knees trembled slightly as he took a cautious step forward onto the marble.
Vanessa stepped directly into his path with a very harsh expression on her face.
Her sharp heels clicked loudly against the clean floor with every fast step.
She looked down at the old man as if he were a complete stranger.
Arthur paused and raised his tired eyes to look at his future daughter-in-law.
He held out the thick folder toward her with a quiet gesture of peace.
Arthur: Vanessa, please let me give Julian these original papers before he speaks.
Vanessa: Get out of my way before you make a complete fool of yourself.
Arthur: These are the true records of the company's original trust fund, my dear.
Vanessa: You have no authority here anymore, old man.
Arthur tried to step around her slim frame to reach the main wooden stage.
Vanessa reached out angrily and shoved the frail man away with strong force.
Arthur lost his balance completely on the slick surface of the marble floor.
He fell backward violently and hit the hard ground with a heavy sound.
The loud crash echoed through the high ceiling of the bright hall.
Sharp gasps of shock rippled through the large crowd of elegant guests.
Several people dropped their champagne glasses onto the hard floor in utter panic.
Arthur lay completely flat on his back while clutching his bruised chest in pain.
His leather folder slid away across the polished floor and spilled several old papers.
Vanessa stood over him without a single trace of regret in her cold eyes.
She adjusted the side strap of her dark silk dress with a quick flick.
Vanessa: He got what he deserved for getting in my way!
Julian turned around quickly when he heard the sudden loud commotion near the stage.
His eyes widened in total horror when he saw his father lying on the ground.
He saw Vanessa standing right above the defenseless old man with a cruel smirk.
A wave of boiling fury rushed through Julian's body like a wild fire.
He sprinted across the main floor toward the scene of the terrible incident.
The surrounding crowd moved back quickly to give him a clear path through.
Vanessa looked up at Julian with a fake smile of complete innocence.
She opened her arms as if she had done nothing wrong at all.
Julian reached her in two long strides with his teeth set in tight anger.
He grabbed her firmly by the shoulder and shoved her forcefully away from Arthur.
Vanessa stumbled backward in total surprise as her high heels slipped on the marble.
She hit the floor hard near the large American flag that hung on the wall.
Julian: How dare you lay a hand on my father!
The entire hall fell into a heavy and terrified silence as everyone watched.