The world turned into a blur of falling light and wind. Terrified screams from the guests below echoed through the high ceilings. I closed my eyes, bracing for the bone-crushing impact against the hard floor.
Down in the lobby, a man in a crisp white shirt with a USA flag pin on his lapel looked up in sheer alarm. It was Lucas, my father’s former head of security, who had been fired by Victoria three weeks earlier.
Lucas: Out of the way!
Lucas lunged forward without hesitation. He threw his body into a long slide across the slick, polished marble floor, his arms extending fully just as my body dropped out of the sky. With a heavy thud, he caught me tightly in his arms, mere inches above the marble surface.
The impact knocked the breath out of both of us. We slid several feet across the floor before coming to a stop near the center fountain. The entire room went dead silent except for the sound of my ragged breathing.
Lucas: Clara! Are you okay? Talk to me!
Clara: I... I think I'm alive...
I looked up, tears streaming down my face, shaking uncontrollably from the adrenaline surge. My dress was torn, and my hands were trembling as I lifted my arm and pointed a shaking finger toward the second-floor balcony.
Clara: She tried to kill me... Don't let her escape!
Lucas looked up at the balcony, his eyes burning with intense fury as he saw Victoria standing near the edge, her face pale with shock as she realized I had survived.
Lucas: Lock every exit! Call the police right now—she's going to prison!
Victoria: It was an accident! She slipped!
Clara: You grabbed my collar and threw me! Dozens of people saw you!
Lucas: Security! Seal the front doors immediately! No one leaves this building!
The lobby erupted into complete chaos. Guests began shouting and pulling out their phones, taking photos and video of Victoria on the balcony. Two venue guards rushed over to the main doors, pulling the heavy brass handles shut and locking them.
Guest A: Did she really just throw her stepdaughter over the railing?
Guest B: I saw it! She grabbed her dress and pushed her!
Lucas: Stay still, Clara. Don't move your neck or back until the paramedics check you out.
Clara: I'm fine, Lucas. Just help me up. We can't let her get to the private elevators.
Lucas: She isn't going anywhere. My men are already holding the service doors.
I leaned on Lucas as he helped me stand up. My legs felt like lead, but the burning desire for justice kept me upright. Up on the balcony, Victoria was backing away from the railing, panic finally breaking through her cold expression.
Victoria: Mind your own business, all of you! This is a private family matter!
Clara: Attempted murder isn't a family matter, Victoria!
Lucas: You're done, Victoria. The police are two minutes away.
Victoria: You have no proof! My word against hers!
Clara: Look around you, Victoria. There are fifty cameras pointed at you right now.
Victoria's eyes darted around the room, realizing every single guest had their smartphone held high, recording her every move.