Tiffany: What... what did you just say to me?
David: I said this event has been cancelled, effective immediately.
Tiffany: Are you insane?! You cannot cancel my wedding ten minutes before the ceremony!
David: The primary account holder has revoked all funding and authorization for the use of this facility.
David held out the official black cancellation folder, handing it directly to Tiffany. Her hands shook as she grabbed the leather binder, ripping it open under the bright high-key lighting.
Tiffany: This is a mistake! My father wired fifty thousand dollars for the deposit last month!
David: Your father's deposit was rejected due to insufficient funds, Miss Vance. Mrs. Margaret Sterling covered the entire balance of two hundred and eighty thousand dollars herself.
Tiffany: Two hundred and eighty... thousand?
David: Correct. And as of three minutes ago, she has withdrawn every penny.
The surrounding guests began whispering loudly, moving closer to hear the manager's words.
Guest 1: Did he say two hundred and eighty thousand dollars?!
Guest 2: And the bride didn't even pay for it?! The groom's mother paid for everything!
Guest 1: The same mother she just slapped across the face!
Tiffany: Marcus! Do something! Tell this man he cannot kick us out!
Marcus: I cannot do anything, Tiffany. I told you she owns the estate.
Tiffany: Call her! Call your mother right now and tell her to stop this absurd joke!
Marcus: It is not a joke, Tiffany. You struck a woman who was trying to give you a home.
David: Staff, shut down the sound system and lock the open bar immediately.
At the manager's command, the soft romantic music abruptly cut off, replaced by a low, awkward hum in the room. Two bartenders immediately pulled dark cloths over the crystal liquor displays, locking the cabinets.
Tiffany: Hey! Do not close that bar! My guests are drinking!
David: They are no longer guests, Miss Vance. They are currently trespassing on private property.
Tiffany: Trespassing?! This is my wedding day!
David: You have fifteen minutes to vacate the premises before local law enforcement clears the building.
Tiffany's jaw dropped in horrified shock, her face turning pale as terror finally set in. She looked around at her two hundred wealthy guests, who were now staring at her with pity and disgust.
Tiffany: Mother! Dad! Tell them to fix this!
Her father, a businessman in a gray tuxedo, rushed forward from the front row, his face sweating profusely under the bright lights.
Father: David, please! Can we talk about this in your office?! I can write a personal check right now!
David: Mr. Vance, your company declared Chapter Eleven bankruptcy yesterday morning. Your check is worthless.
The crowd gasped louder, the gossip spreading like wildfire through the hall.
Guest 1: Her family is bankrupt?! They were pretending to be rich this whole time!
Guest 2: They used Marcus's family money to fund their fake lifestyle!
Tiffany: Dad... is that true? Are we broke?
Father: Tiffany, be quiet! Not here!
Tiffany: Answer me! Is that why you insisted I marry Marcus so quickly?!
Before her father could answer, the heavy double doors opened once more. Margaret walked back into the hall, her posture straight, her face cool and composed despite the noticeable red mark on her cheek.
Tiffany: Mrs. Sterling! Please!