Richard stood up slowly, his body stiffening with deep anger.
He turned around to face Vanessa, his eyes completely changed from warm to ice cold.
The entire room had grown quiet as guests stopped eating to watch the confrontation.
Richard: Did you put your hands on my daughter, Vanessa?
Vanessa took a small step backward, her confident look beginning to crumble.
Vanessa: She is exaggerating, Richard, you know how kids lie when they are in trouble!
Richard: My daughter does not lie to me, Vanessa.
Vanessa: I was only trying to teach her some basic manners for once!
Richard: You humiliated my blood in front of all these people over a spilled drink?
Vanessa: She ruined my expensive custom dress right before our big announcement!
Richard: I do not care about a dress, Vanessa, I care about my child's safety and happiness.
Marcus, the family lawyer, stepped up beside Richard with a calm look on his face.
Marcus: Richard, the venue security cameras cover the head table area completely.
Vanessa: What? There is no need to look at security footage for a silly family dispute!
Marcus: I can have the security manager pull up the live feed on my tablet right now.
Vanessa's face went completely pale as Marcus pulled out his tablet device.
She tried to laugh it off, but her voice was shaking noticeably.
Vanessa: Richard, this is ridiculous, you are going to trust security cameras over your bride?
Richard: Show me the footage right now, Marcus.
Marcus tapped the screen a few times and pointed it toward Richard.
The high-definition video clearly showed another guest accidentally bumping into Lily.
It showed Lily's plate tapping the glass and the juice spilling onto the table.
Then it clearly showed Vanessa jumping up, grabbing Lily roughly, and screaming in her face.
It also caught Vanessa pushing Lily backward toward the side door with force.
Richard watched the video frame by frame, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.
Richard: You put your hands on my child and then lied to my face in front of everyone.