Margarethe: Put that phone away, you dramatic little gold-digger! Who are you calling, the police? Do you think anyone in this city would take your side over the Vance family?
Chloe: She's just trying to stall, Mom! Look at her, pretending to call her broke father. As if some low-class old man can save her from going to prison today!
Vivian: I didn't steal your diamond necklace, Chloe. I have been sitting at table four the entire evening, speaking with the estate planners.
Julian: Then where is it, Vivian? It was on Chloe's vanity ten minutes ago, and now it's gone! You were the only outsider who walked into that hallway!
Vivian: I went to the restroom because I was feeling nauseous! I am six months pregnant with your child, Julian! How can you stand there and let your sister pull my dress apart in front of a hundred people?
Julian: Because my family's honor is on the line tonight! Do you know how much that estate necklace is worth? It's worth two million dollars! It's been in the Vance trust fund for three generations!
Margarethe: Don't bother explaining finances to her, Julian. She comes from nothing. Her father probably runs a tiny hardware store in the suburbs. She saw an opportunity to secure her future and took it!
Vivian: My father is a honest man, Margarethe. Do not bring him into your miserable paranoia.
Chloe: Shut up! Search her waist! She probably taped the velvet box under her stomach padding!
Vivian: Stomach padding? Are you out of your mind? This is your nephew I am carrying!
Julian: Just prove it to them, Vivian! Why are you making this so difficult? If you just let my mother check your waistline, this whole embarrassing scene will be over!
Vivian: You want me to let them strip me in the middle of a high-key luxury hall? In front of investors, lawyers, and journalists? You're my husband, Julian!
Julian: I am a Vance first! And I will not have our family name ruined because you refuse to cooperate!
Margarethe: Grab her arm, Julian! Hold her still while Chloe unzips the rest of that dress!
Julian reached out again, his jaw set in a hard, uncompromising line. He grabbed Vivian's wrist, squeezing tightly enough to leave a red mark on her pale skin.
Vivian: Let go of me, Julian! I am warning you, if you take one more step, you will regret this for the rest of your life!
Julian: Stop threatening us! You have no power here, Vivian. You came into this family with empty hands, and if you're a thief, you'll leave with handcuffs!
Chloe: Here, I've got the edge of the satin! Pull it down!
Chloe yanked the side zipper forcefully, the metal teeth dragging violently across Vivian's skin. Vivian winced in pain, tears flowing down her face as the side of her blue dress tore open further, revealing her maternity belt and her swollen bump to the whispering crowd.
Guest 1: Is she really hiding it under there? How sickening...
Guest 2: Look at Julian... he's totally embarrassed by her. Poor Vance family, bringing a street girl into their estate.
Margarethe: Feel around her waist, Chloe! Check the inner lining!
Vivian: Stop! Get off me!
Vivian summoned every ounce of strength left in her body, bringing her hand up and slapping Chloe across the face with a loud, ringing crash that echoed under the crystal chandeliers.
Chloe: Ah! You crazy bitch! She hit me!
Julian: Vivian! Have you lost your mind?
Vivian: You forced my hand! None of you will ever put a finger on me or my child again!
Margarethe: Security! Where is estate security? Arrest this woman right now!
Before the house security guards could step forward, the heavy oak double doors of the grand ballroom slammed open with a deafening boom that rattled the glass chandelier drops.