Chloe: If you leave me today, I'll tell everyone in the business industry that you abandoned me at the alter! I'll ruin your company's stock value!
Ethan: Go ahead and tell them, Chloe. But remember, I have the audio recording of you terrorizing a motherless six-year-old child. If you release one lie to the press, that audio goes viral on every news outlet in the country.
Chloe stopped dead in her tracks on the gravel driveway, her hands shaking as her face went completely pale. She realized in that instant that she had zero leverage left.
Chloe: You... you would destroy my entire life over this?
Ethan: You tried to destroy my daughter's life today. You're lucky I'm only walking away and not calling the police for child endangerment.
Chloe's Father: Chloe! Get back up here right now!
Chloe's father marched down the marble steps, flanked by two security guards from the venue. His voice was cold and furious as he looked at his daughter.
Chloe's Father: You are coming with me right now. You have disgraced this family, ruined a multi-million-dollar merger, and treated an innocent child like trash.
Chloe: Dad! You're taking his side over mine?!
Chloe's Father: I am taking the side of basic human decency! Your allowance is suspended, your credit cards are canceled, and you are moving out of the family penthouse by tomorrow morning!
Chloe: What?! You can't cancel my credit cards!
Chloe's Father: Watch me. Security, escort my daughter to her car. She is no longer welcome at this venue.
The two security guards stepped forward, grabbing Chloe by her elbows and leading her away as she wept hysterical, angry tears. Her white lace dress was covered in gray dust from the driveway, her veil crooked and torn.
Ethan watched her get pulled away without a single trace of pity in his heart. He looked at Mr. Vance, offering a brief, respectful nod.
Ethan: I'm sorry it ended this way, Mr. Vance.
Chloe's Father: Don't apologize, Ethan. You are a good father. I only wish I had raised my daughter with half the honor you show your little girl.
Ethan: Take care of yourself, sir.
Ethan got into the driver's seat of his SUV, locking the doors and starting the engine. He looked back at Lily in the rearview mirror, who was now smiling softly as she looked at her favorite stuffed bear sitting on the seat beside her.
Ethan: Ready to go home, sweetie?
Lily: Can we stop and get ice cream on the way home, Daddy?
Ethan: We can get as much ice cream as you want, baby girl. Anything you want.