Lily: "Daddy, please help!"
The desperate scream echoed across the grand ballroom, instantly silencing the classical string quartet playing in the corner[cite: 1]. Guests turned in horror as the young girl struggled to wipe the heavy green frosting from her eyes.
Victoria: "Shut up! Stop screaming like a wild animal!"
Lily: "Daddy! Where are you?!"
Victoria: "Your father is busy talking to real investors! He doesn't care about your little tantrums!"
From the archway of the main entrance, rapid running footsteps thundered across the polished marble floor. Richard Vance, wearing a sharp dark blue suit, burst into the ballroom, his eyes sweeping the panicked crowd until they landed on his daughter[cite: 1]. His jaw set tight as an expression of pure, unadulterated fury washed over his face.
Richard: "Lily!"[cite: 1]
He rushed across the room, completely ignoring the stunned onlookers, and scooped the weeping girl up into his arms. He pulled her securely against his chest, cradling her head away from the ruined dessert table.
Lily: "Daddy... she pushed my face... it hurts!"
Richard: "I've got you, baby. I've got you. Daddy's right here."
Richard reached into his jacket, pulled out a white silk handkerchief, and gently wiped the heavy frosting away from his daughter’s tear-filled eyes. Her skin was red and inflamed beneath the sweet cream, her tiny hands shaking uncontrollably.
Richard: "Shh, it's okay, Lily. Take a deep breath. Who did this to you?"
Lily: "Victoria... she took my plate and then she grabbed my hair..."[cite: 1]
Richard slowly turned his head, his eyes locking onto Victoria, who was casually picking a speck of green frosting off her burgundy dress. Under the bright indoor lights, his jaw clenched so hard the muscles in his face trembled.
Richard: "Look what you did to my little girl!"
Victoria: "Relax, she'll survive."
Richard: "She'll survive?! You physically assaulted my seven-year-old daughter in front of eighty people!"[cite: 1]
Victoria: "Oh, stop being so overly dramatic, Richard. She was making a mess, so I taught her some manners."[cite: 1]
Richard: "Manners?! You slammed her head into a table!"
Victoria: "She tripped! If her face hit the cake, it's because she's clumsy! Just like her mother was!"
The mention of his late wife sent a wave of absolute, blinding wrath through Richard’s chest. He turned around, holding Lily safely in one arm, his expression hardening into pure venom.
Richard: "You lie through your teeth while standing in my home!"[cite: 1]
Victoria: "This is MY home now, Richard! I am your wife, and I will discipline this child however I see fit!"
Richard: "You aren't her mother, and after tonight, you aren't my wife either!"
Victoria: "You wouldn't dare make a scene in front of your board members!"
Without warning, Richard stepped forward with overwhelming force, lunging toward Victoria with a fierce shove. His hand slammed into her shoulder, sending her flying violently backward into the ruined, tier-collapsed wedding and vow renewal cake.