Sarah froze for half a second, her heart stopping completely as she heard her daughter's scream. Her eyes locked onto the sight of Victor standing over her tiny child with his fist clenched. Time seemed to slow down completely as pure rage burned away every fear Sarah had ever held in her heart.
She dropped her purse on the floor, sprinting across the marble room faster than she had ever run in her life. Guests gasped and pulled back as Sarah rushed past them under the full bright daylight streaming through the tall glass windows. She dropped down onto her knees right beside Clara, pulling the trembling little girl into a tight, protective embrace right underneath the US flag mounted on the wall.
Sarah: Oh my God! Sweetie! Are you okay?
Victor: Teach your kid not to steal! She had her hands all over my pocket!
Clara: Mommy, I didn't take it... I promise! I was just looking at the silver butterfly!
Sarah: Shh, I know baby... I know. Mommy is right here.
Clara wept uncontrollably in her mother's arms, her small frame shaking violently as tears streamed down her face. Sarah squeezed her tight, her blood running cold as she looked at the bright red mark forming on Clara's soft skin. No adult had ever struck her child, and certainly not a grown man double Clara's size over a ridiculous lie.
Victor stood above them with his hands on his hips, smirking down at the two of them as if they were trash under his clean shoes. He pulled a gold watch from his pocket and waved it around to show the small crowd gathered around them.
Victor: These street people come into our galas and think they can take whatever they want. You should be thrown in jail!
Sarah: She is six years old, you sick coward!
Victor: Watch your mouth, lady, or I will have security throw you out on the street where you belong!
Sarah wiped the tears from Clara's eyes and stood up slowly. Her body was trembling, but it was not from fear anymore. It was the fierce, unstoppable anger of a mother who had watched someone hurt her flesh and blood. She stepped between Victor and her daughter, her dark gown swishing as she stood up to her full height. She stared directly into Victor's mean eyes, her hands balling into tight fists at her sides under the bright ballroom lights.