Chloe: *Gasping in shock* Julian?! Did you... did you just hit me?!
Chloe clutched her red cheek, her mouth hanging open as she stumbled back a step. Her eyes were wide with utter disbelief, looking around at the circle of wealthy guests who were whispering frantically in terror.
Julian: I said let go of her!
Chloe: Are you insane?! I am your fiancée! This girl is just a common servant! She ruined my custom silk dress!
Julian: I don't give a damn about your dress!
Chloe: Julian, look at me! You're embarrassing us in front of the entire board of directors! Tell these people she attacked me!
Julian: She didn't attack anyone, Chloe. You are the one acting like an animal in my home!
Chloe: I am the future mistress of this estate! I have every right to discipline the domestic staff when they step out of line!
Julian: You aren't the mistress of anything!
Before Chloe could react, Julian wound back his arm again and delivered another forceful blow across her face. The heavy slap sent Chloe crashing down onto the polished marble floor with a painful thud, her champagne gown spreading out around her as she clutched her face in agony.
Chloe: AH! Stop it! Somebody call security!
Julian: Security works for me, Chloe. And so does every person in this building.
The room went completely dead silent except for the rapid clicking of camera shutters as several guests secretly took photos from behind their champagne glasses. Julian stepped right over Chloe's collapsed body, completely ignoring her groans, and walked directly toward the weeping maid lying on the cold marble floor.
Julian: Are you okay? You're safe now.
Julian knelt down beside the maid in her stained uniform apron, placing his warm hands gently on her shoulders to steady her shaking frame.
Hannah: *Sobbing frantically* Thank you, Sir... thank you...
Julian: Look at me, Hannah. Look at my face.
Hannah lifted her tear-streaked face slowly, her bruised skin catching the afternoon sunlight streaming through the tall windows. Her heavy, rapid breathing began to calm as Julian pulled her protectively into his arms, holding her close while turning a glare toward Chloe on the floor.
Julian: Don't ever call her a servant again, Chloe.
Chloe: *Wiping tears* Why are you touching her like that?! She's nobody! She's just a girl we hired three months ago from the employment agency!
Julian: She isn't a maid from an agency, Chloe. She is Hannah Sterling. My younger sister.
A collective gasp ripped through the crowd of guests as Chloe's face drained of every drop of color. She stared up from the floor, her jaw dropping open in pure horror.
Chloe: What... what did you just say?
Julian: You heard me. The woman you've been abusing for three months is the sole biological daughter of Thomas Sterling. My father's true heir.
Hannah: *Whispering softly* Julian... she didn't know... she forced me to sign those papers...
Julian: She knew enough, Hannah. And today, her sick little game ends right here in front of everyone.
Chloe: Julian, wait! This is a setup! She's an imposter! Your sister died in a car crash in France five years ago!
Julian: That's the lie your family paid fifty thousand dollars to put in the newspapers, Chloe. But I kept searching. And today, the truth comes out.