Tiffany: Mrs. Sterling, I am so sorry! I didn't know it was you!
Margaret: You did not know it was me? So it is acceptable to slap an older woman as long as she is poor?
Tiffany: No! That's not what I meant! I was just stressed about the ceremony!
Margaret: Stress does not reveal a person's bad luck, my dear. It reveals their true character.
Tiffany fell to her knees right on the beige patterned rug, her long silk train clumping around her as she grabbed at Margaret's dress.
Tiffany: Please! Do not cancel the wedding! My entire reputation will be destroyed!
Margaret: You destroyed your own reputation the moment you raised your hand against me.
Tiffany: Marcus, help me! Tell your mother I will be a good wife! I promise!
Marcus stepped back, looking down at the woman he was supposed to marry. His eyes were cold, free from any remaining affection.
Marcus: I am taking off this ring, Tiffany.
Tiffany: What?! Marcus, no! You cannot leave me at the altar!
Marcus: There is no altar, Tiffany. And there is no wedding. I am not marrying a woman who abuses my family.
Marcus pulled the platinum wedding band from his pocket, tossing it onto the official cancellation folder sitting on the floor.
Tiffany: Marcus, please! We have been together for two years!
Marcus: And for two years, you treated every waiter, valet, and maid like dirt beneath your shoes. I was blind to think you would change.
Father: Marcus, son, let's talk about this like gentlemen! Our families have business deals aligned!
Margaret: What business deals, Mr. Vance? The ones based on forged asset statements you submitted to my bank last week?
Father: Margaret... please, keep your voice down...
Margaret: My legal team already filed criminal fraud charges against your firm two hours ago. The police officers at the gate are not just here for a trespass warning.
Tiffany's father collapsed into a nearby chair, his head falling into his hands as his wife began sobbing uncontrollably.
Tiffany: Fraud...? Dad, what did you do?!
Father: I tried to save us, Tiffany! I thought if you married into the Sterling estate, they would cover our debts!
Tiffany: You used me?! You used my wedding to cover your crimes?!
Margaret: You were a willing participant, Tiffany. You wanted the grand mansion, the designer dresses, and the high status, without showing an ounce of respect to the human beings who provided it.
Tiffany: I didn't know he committed fraud! I swear I didn't know!
Margaret: But you knew how to hit an defenseless older woman who got in your way. That tells me everything I need to know about who you are.
Two uniformed police officers walked firmly into the banquet hall, their heavy boots clicking against the hard floor as guests cleared a wide path for them.
Officer: Mr. Robert Vance?
Father: Yes... that is me.
Officer: You are under arrest for corporate bank fraud and grand larceny. Stand up and place your hands behind your back.