The dark purple stains quickly soaked into the front of Leo's jacket.
He looked down at the broken porcelain scattered all over the ground.
A soft whimpering sound escaped his throat as he wiped his wet cheeks.
None of the nearby family members stepped forward to help the crying child.
Victoria stood nearby wearing a long sparkling silver gown with gold earrings.
She held a glass of champagne while watching the scene unfold with indifference.
Victoria: You should learn some manners before coming out here.
Leo: I was only holding the plate carefully.
Victoria: Children like you need to know their place at these events.
Leo looked down at the large piece of cake lying on the dusty stones.
He was so hungry that his stomach hurt under his tight suit button.
He slowly dropped to his hands and knees on the hard stone patio.
His small fingers reached down toward the dirty dessert on the ground.
Several wealthy guests watched in silence as the boy tried to eat off the floor.
Evelyn stood above him with her arms crossed over her chest coldly.
She did not bother to pull the four-year-old child up from the dirt.
She believed Leo was a reminder of a marriage she never approved of.
Julian's late wife had come from a humble working-class family in town.
Evelyn had always resented her son for marrying for love instead of status.
She wanted Julian to wed Victoria, the daughter of a wealthy banking CEO.
When Julian chose true love, Evelyn swore to keep control over the family money.
Now she took out her bitterness on a helpless four-year-old orphan boy.
Leo picked up a tiny piece of crust covered in stone dust.
He raised his hand toward his mouth while crying softly to himself.
Victoria: Look at him begging like a street child on our patio.
Evelyn: It seems his mother never taught him any proper manners at all.
Suddenly, heavy fast footsteps echoed from the glass study doorway.
Julian marched onto the patio with a dark expression on his face.