The crystal chandeliers lit up the massive ballroom with a warm golden glow.
Julian stood near the main dessert table with a polite smile on his face.
He looked at all the guests who came to celebrate his wedding day.
It was supposed to be the happiest evening of his entire young life.
His family had owned the vast estate for three full generations without trouble.
Now he was the sole heir to the massive fortune and land.
His beautiful new bride Victoria was chatting with wealthy friends across the room.
She wore a white silk dress that shimmered under the bright room lights.
Julian felt lucky to have met someone so elegant and sweet two years ago.
He felt a sudden thirst and reached down toward the polished dark table.
A heavy crystal glass sat near the edge with amber liquid inside it.
Julian did not remember pouring that specific drink for himself earlier that evening.
He assumed one of the banquet servers had placed it there for him.
He wrapped his long fingers around the smooth glass and raised it up.
The ice cubes clicked gently against the inner rim as he lifted it higher.
He opened his mouth to take a long cool sip of the liquid.
Before the rim could touch his dry lips a hand darted across the table.
A sharp strike hit his forearm with sudden and unexpected physical force.
The heavy crystal glass flew straight out of his weak grasp immediately.
It hit the polished marble floor with a sharp and echoing crash.
Amber liquid splashed across the hem of his dark tailored tuxedo pants.
Sharp shards of glass scattered across the shining white floor around his shoes.
The surrounding guests stopped talking instantly and turned around to look at him.
Julian gasped in total shock and pulled his arm back toward his chest.
He raised his head to look directly at the person who struck him.
A young maid in a black service dress stood panting right beside him.
Her face was pale and her chest rose and fell with fast breaths.
Julian felt a surge of instant anger rise up inside his tight chest.
Julian: What is wrong with you tonight?
Maid: Please sir do not drink anything from that table!
Julian: You just ruined my drink in front of all my guests!
Maid: I saved your life just now sir!
Julian frowned and took one step back from the broken glass pieces.
The maid lifted her right hand and held out a black smartphone.
Her fingers trembled as she tapped the bright glass screen with her thumb.
Maid: You need to watch this short video immediately sir.