Arthur: Get your hands off my daughter right now!
Arthur's voice boomed across the entire lawn like a thunderclap. Victoria instantly froze, dropping the torn lace from her manicured fingers as Arthur shoved her aside without hesitation.
Victoria: Arthur! How dare you lay a hand on me on my son's wedding day!
Arthur: Shut your mouth, Victoria! Touch her again and you'll be answering to my lawyers in handcuffs!
Arthur dropped straight to his knees on the soft grass, wrapping his strong arm around Chloe's shivering shoulders. He carefully gathered the ruined, torn pieces of her white bridal dress, shielding her pregnant frame from the staring eyes of the wedding guests.
Arthur: Chloe, sweetheart, look at me. Are you okay? Is the baby okay?
Chloe: Dad... she ripped my gown... she called our baby a mistake in front of everyone...
Arthur: I know, baby. I know. Daddy's here now. Nobody is ever going to hurt you again.
Julian: Mr. Sterling, please! You don't understand the full situation!
Arthur stood up slowly. His eyes, usually calm and calculating as a billionaire real estate developer, burned with pure, icy fury as he turned toward Julian.
Arthur: I understand everything I need to know, Julian. You stood there like a coward while your mother assaulted my daughter!
Julian: My mother was just passionate about our family assets! She felt Chloe was rushing the wedding because of the inheritance!
Arthur: Inheritance?! Chloe is the sole heiress to Sterling Enterprises! She doesn't need a single dime of your family's money!
A collective gasp rippled through the seated guests. Victoria's eyes widened in sheer shock as she stepped forward, her arrogant posture instantly collapsing.
Victoria: What... what did you just say? Heiress?
Arthur: Did you really think my daughter was some penniless girl off the street, Victoria?
Victoria: Julian told me she was working as a junior designer