Arthur stood up slowly from the patio floor, holding Leo safely behind his back.
His face grew dark with an intense rage that made the surrounding relatives step back.
The low rumble of anger in his chest was clear to every single person watching.
Evelyn did not flinch, keeping her chin raised high in the air with arrogant pride.
Evelyn: Do not look at me like that, Arthur, I did what was necessary.
Victoria: He needed to learn respect, and you spoil him far too much.
Arthur: He is a ten-year-old child who made a gift with his own hands!
Evelyn: He interrupted my conversation with important guests over a stupid piece of cake!
Arthur squeezed his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned completely white.
He had spent years watching his mother treat people like dirt because of her massive wealth.
He had tolerated her cruel comments about his late wife and his business choices for years.
But seeing her kick food out of his sweet son's hands was the final straw.
Arthur turned his head toward the massive banquet table resting in the center of the patio.
The table was loaded with expensive seafood, fancy appetizers, and three-tiered luxury cakes.
It represented thousands of dollars spent on a fake display of family perfection and status.
Arthur took three large strides toward the heavy wooden table loaded with silver platters.
He raised his right leg and kicked the table leg with all of his power.
The entire long banquet table tipped over with a massive, deafening crash onto the patio.
Glass plates shattered, silver trays clattered, and expensive food splattered across the stone floor.
Glazed turkey, expensive fruit, and fancy dessert cakes smashed into a huge messy pile.
Gasps of utter shock echoed from every single wealthy relative standing on the lawn.
Victoria screamed out loud as flying frosting ruined the front of her emerald gown.
Evelyn took two steps backward, clutching her pearl necklace in complete disbelief at the scene.
Arthur stood tall in the middle of the ruined feast, breathing heavily with intense fury.
His two private security bodyguards immediately stepped up to stand firm right behind him.
Arthur pointed a single sharp finger straight at his mother's shocked, pale face.