The quiet in the room was interrupted by the heavy thump of the main doors.
Two large wooden doors swung open at the far end of the grand hall.
Julian Sterling walked into the room with a stack of legal documents in his hand.
He was a powerful forty-year-old businessman who ran a major inheritance investment firm.
He wore a sharp navy blue suit and carried himself with absolute authority.
Julian stopped in his tracks as soon as his eyes landed on the scene near the stage.
His wife was standing over a kneeling maid with an empty champagne bottle.
The maid was dripping wet and surrounded by broken crystal on the white floor.
Julian's expression hardened into pure outrage as he stepped forward quickly.
Julian: What is going on here right now?
His deep voice boomed through the high ceiling of the sunlit ballroom.
Victoria turned around quickly and tried to pull a polite smile onto her face.
Victoria: Julian, darling, this clumsy girl destroyed our imported crystal set!
Julian: That gives you the right to pour alcohol over a worker?
Julian rushed across the polished floor with long, furious steps.
He ignored his wife completely and stopped right next to the kneeling girl.
Clara slowly lifted her head, her wet lashes clumping together from the liquid.
Tears rolled down her cheeks, mixing with the sticky champagne on her skin.
Julian: Are you okay, young lady?
Clara: I am sorry, sir, I did not mean to break anything.
Julian immediately dropped his leather folder onto the nearby serving table.
He ignored the dirt and champagne on the floor and dropped to one knee.
He took his white silk pocket square and gently handed it to Clara.
Julian: Wipe your eyes, please, you do not need to apologize to anyone.
Victoria gasped loudly and stepped closer with her hands on her hips.
Victoria: Julian, what are you doing on the floor with the hired help?
Julian: Shut your mouth before you embarrass yourself any further!
The guests around the hall whispered loudly as Julian helped Clara stand up.
He wrapped his arm around her shaking shoulders to steady her feet.
Clara tried to pull away out of habit, but Julian held her securely.
Julian: You are safe now, do not be afraid.
Victoria's cheeks turned bright red with pure anger as she watched her husband.
Victoria: You are ruining our party over a useless maid!
Julian: Get out of this ballroom right now before I lose my temper!
Victoria raised her hand in shock, her dark wine dress shaking with rage.
Victoria: How dare you speak to me like that in front of our friends!
Julian stood up tall and stepped directly between his wife and the young maid.
His eyes were locked onto Victoria with a look of complete disgust.
Julian: You have disgraced this family and this entire house today.
The crowd watched in complete shock as Julian pointed toward the massive double doors.