Detective Ross: Nobody move! City Police! Everyone step away from the head table!
Detective Ross strode into the ballroom, accompanied by three uniformed officers. He took one look at the shattered crystal on the marble floor and stepped directly up to Mark[cite: 1].
Mark: Detective Ross, thank you for coming so fast. The evidence is on this smartphone, and the liquid sample is secured on the marble floor[cite: 1].
Detective Ross: We received the live video transmission Chief Miller sent to our precinct five minutes ago. Officers, arrest Chloe Davis and Julian Vance for attempted capital murder and criminal conspiracy.
Julian: Get your hands off me! Do you know who my lawyers are?! I'll have your badge by tomorrow morning!
Officer Smith: Keep quiet, sir. You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against you in court.
An officer grabbed Julian's arms, yanking them roughly behind his navy blue suit coat and snapping heavy steel handcuffs around his wrists. Julian struggled angrily, cursing at the guards as he was dragged across the white marble floor.
Chloe: Mark! Don't let them take me! Please, Mark! I'm your wife!
Mark: You were my wife for two hours, Chloe. Tomorrow morning, my legal team will file for a full annulment and a total freeze on every account tied to your name.
Chloe: No! Mark, please! I'll tell the police everything! I'll testify against Julian!
Mark: Save it for the judge, Chloe. You made your choice when you poured that bottle.
The female officer stepped behind Chloe, pulling her arms back against her silk wedding gown and locking the metal cuffs into place. The crowd of wealthy wedding guests burst into loud murmurs and harsh scowls as the bride was marched out of the grand ballroom in tears, her expensive veil dragging behind her on the cold floor.
Mark stood alone near the center stage, staring at the ruined venue as the police led his betrayal away into the daylight outside.
Groomsman Dave: Mark... I don't even know what to say, man. I'm so sorry this happened to you.
Mark: Don't be sorry, Dave. If it wasn't for Sarah, I'd be lying dead on this floor right now.
Mark turned around, walking over to the young blonde server who was quietly helping staff gather her belongings near the side kitchen doors[cite: 1].