Victoria: People like you don't belong in my hotel!
The loud slap cracked through the giant marble lobby like a gunshot.
Charlotte gasped as her head snapped to the side from the sudden physical impact.
The force knocked her completely off balance onto the polished white floor.
Her hands scraped against the hard stone surface as she fell hard.
A loud metal sound echoed right next to Charlotte's bleeding hand.
Her precious silver locket had snapped off its thin chain upon hitting the marble floor.
The silver piece bounced twice and sprang wide open next to her finger.
Inside the open locket, a small painted portrait lay completely exposed beneath the bright chandeliers.
Charlotte gasped through her tears as she saw her father's smiling face looking up at her.
She quickly reached out her trembling fingers to gather the small necklace.
A shadow fell across her frame as the hotel's chief manager marched over to her.
He was a taller man wearing a sharp navy suit with a small American flag lapel pin.
His face was red with anger as he pointed aggressively at Charlotte lying on the ground.
Several security guards began rushing across the white lobby toward them.
Manager: Security! Remove this trespasser before she causes trouble!
Charlotte quickly scooped up the silver locket and clutched it tight inside her fist.
She tried to scramble backward away from the manager's reaching hands.
Victoria laughed softly while straightening her perfect white gown.
She looked down at Charlotte like she was nothing more than street dirt on her shoes.
The manager reached down roughly to grab Charlotte by her upper arm.
Charlotte tried to pull away, but her back was pressed right against a marble pillar.
She held the locket against her chest like a protective shield.
She wished her father was here to protect her from these cruel people.
The guards were only a few steps away from dragging her into the cold street outside.
Suddenly, a sharp gasp cut through the noisy crowd near the main elevators.
An older woman with short gray hair and a dark black blazer froze in her tracks.
She stared in total disbelief at the tiny silver chain poking out from Charlotte's tight fist.
Her face turned pale white as if she had just seen a ghost from her past.
The manager stopped pulling Charlotte's arm and looked back in confusion.
Victoria frowned as the older woman began marching fast toward the group.