Brandon: Step away from her right now, Vanessa[cite: 1].
Vanessa: Brandon[cite: 1]! Darling, you're back early from the corporate board meeting[cite: 1]! I was just handling a small domestic issue[cite: 1].
Brandon: I asked you a simple question, and I expect an immediate step back[cite: 1].
Vanessa swallowed hard, taking a reluctant step back as her golden sequin dress shimmered in the harsh overhead light[cite: 1]. Brandon didn't even look at her again[cite: 1]. Instead, he dropped down onto one knee right on the cold marble floor, ignoring the dust and the broken glass nearby[cite: 1]. He reached out his large, warm hand, gently wrapping his fingers around Lily's small, trembling fist[cite: 1].
Brandon: You are safe here, sweetheart[cite: 1]. Nobody in this house will ever raise their voice to you again[cite: 1].
Lily: Mister... I didn't mean to mess up the clean floor[cite: 1]... I just wanted a piece of bread from the kitchen...[cite: 1]
Brandon: You don't have to apologize for being hungry in my house[cite: 1]. Not ever[cite: 1].
Lily's rapid breathing slowly began to calm down as she looked deep into Brandon's warm, protective eyes[cite: 1]. She wiped her tear-stained cheeks with the back of her dirty sleeve, letting out a small, shaky breath[cite: 1]. Brandon stood up slowly, his tall frame towering over the foyer as he turned his attention directly back toward Vanessa[cite: 1]. The warmth in his eyes vanished instantly, replaced by a dark, furious glare that made the surrounding guests step back in fear[cite: 1].
Vanessa: Brandon, please, let me explain[cite: 1]. The staff has been completely undisciplined all afternoon[cite: 1]! That maid's child was wandering around the formal dining room while the caterers were setting up[cite: 1]!
Brandon: Is that why you felt the need to scream at a six-year-old orphan in front of fifty people[cite: 1]?
Vanessa: She was touching the ice sculptures with her dirty hands[cite: 1]! I was simply enforcing proper standards for your estate[cite: 1]!
Brandon: You don't own this estate, Vanessa[cite: 1]. And after what I just witnessed, you never will[cite: 1].
Vanessa: What are you talking about[cite: 1]? The wedding is next month[cite: 1]! The invitations have already been sent out to every executive in the city[cite: 1]!
Brandon: Take off the ring... and leave my house[cite: 1].
A collective gasp rippled through the gathered party guests[cite: 1]. Vanessa’s mouth dropped open in complete disbelief as she looked down at the massive eight-carat diamond ring resting on her left hand[cite: 1].
Vanessa: You... you can't be serious[cite: 1]! You're calling off our engagement over a servant's child[cite: 1]?
Brandon: I am calling off this engagement because you showed me exactly who you are when you think no one is watching[cite: 1].
Vanessa: I gave up two years of my life to help you build your corporate public image[cite: 1]! You owe me respect[cite: 1]!
Brandon: You have ten seconds to remove that ring yourself, or my security detail will escort you to the gate without your personal belongings[cite: 1].
Vanessa: Brandon, please[cite: 1]! Think about the family business[cite: 1]! Think about the stock prices if the media finds out about this break-up[cite: 1]!
Brandon: My stock prices will recover by Monday[cite: 1]. My character won't if I allow a cruel woman into my home[cite: 1].
Vanessa: I won't do it[cite: 1]! This ring was a gift[cite: 1]! It belongs to me legally[cite: 1]!
Brandon: That ring belonged to my late mother, and the prenuptial agreement you signed last week explicitly states that all family heirlooms remain my personal property until the marriage ceremony is complete[cite: 1].
Vanessa’s face turned bright red as she realized she was completely trapped[cite: 1]. She yanked the diamond ring off her finger with shaking, angry hands and slammed it down onto the nearby marble tray[cite: 1].
Vanessa: You will regret this, Brandon Sterling[cite: 1]! You and that pathetic little girl[cite: 1]!
Brandon: Security, escort Miss Vanessa off the property grounds immediately[cite: 1]. Revoke her gate pass and revoke her access to the private garage[cite: 1].
Security Officer: Right this way, ma'am[cite: 1]. Do not make this any more difficult than it needs to be[cite: 1].
The two guards stepped up beside Vanessa, grabbing her arms firmly as she tried to pull away[cite: 1]. She kicked her high heels against the marble floor, shouting threats as they marched her out through the tall arched doorways into the rainy night[cite: 1].