The afternoon sun beat down brightly over the lush green lawn of the estate. Over two hundred wealthy guests in expensive suits and designer dresses were seated in neat rows of white chairs. At the front of the aisle stood an ornate floral arch made of fresh white lilies and roses. Richard stood near the altar, looking handsome in his gray tuxedo. He looked happy, but his eyes carried a heavy sadness that had never truly left him since his wife passed away five years ago. He genuinely believed he was doing the right thing by giving his kids a mother again.
The violin music began to play, signaling that the wedding procession was starting. The guests stood up, looking back toward the glass patio doors where Victoria emerged, wearing a magnificent designer gown that cost fifty thousand dollars. She walked down the aisle with a sweet, delicate smile, holding a bouquet of white orchids. She looked like the picture of perfect elegance and grace. Nobody in the audience could have ever guessed the monster hiding underneath the expensive veil.
As Victoria reached the middle of the aisle, Julian suddenly stepped out from the side doors of the mansion. He did not walk to his designated place as the best man. Instead, he walked straight onto the main path, stepping right in front of Victoria and blocking her path to the altar. The string quartet stopped playing abruptly, causing a wave of confused whispers to ripple through the crowd of high-society guests.
Richard: Julian? What are you doing? Move aside, son.
Julian: Dad, you need to look at this right now before you sign anything.
Victoria: Julian, please! Do not ruin your father's happiest day!
Julian: Keep your mouth shut, Victoria. Your little game is over.
Julian pulled out his iPad from his coat pocket and tapped the screen twice. He held it up high for his father to see, while turning the screen toward the front rows of guests as well. On the high-definition display was a clear video clip that Julian's phone had recorded just twenty minutes ago in the master bathroom. The audio came through the outdoor speaker system, amplification crisp and loud across the entire lawn. The terrible sound of Lily crying filled the silent garden.
Speaker Audio (Victoria): You need to learn your place in this house, you little brat!
Speaker Audio (Lily): Please, Victoria! I am sorry! It hurts so bad!
The entire audience gasped in collective shock. Women covered their mouths with their hands, and men leaned forward in complete disbelief. Richard stared at the screen, his face draining of all color as he saw the video of Victoria pressing the hot lighter into his young daughter's bare arm while Clara screamed in horror. The raw cruelty of the act was displayed under the bright sunlight for everyone to see. The mask of the sweet, caring bride was completely ripped away in front of the city's most prominent citizens.
Richard: My God... Victoria... what did you do to my baby?
Victoria: Richard, it is a deep fake! He made that video with artificial intelligence!
Julian: Is the burn mark on her arm fake too, Dad? Go look at Lily right now!
Victoria: He is lying! He has hated me from the very first day!
Julian: Explain these police reports from Florida then, Victoria. Or should I say, Victoria Vance?
Julian held up a thick stack of printed legal papers, throwing them straight at Victoria's feet. The white pages scattered across the red carpet aisle, showing official court stamps, bank records, and mugshots from her past arrests under a different legal name. The guests began whispering loudly, reading the headlines printed on the papers near their feet. Victoria looked around wildly, seeing her carefully constructed lie collapse in a single instant.