The bright banquet hall was filled with soft music and warm light.
Flowers decorated every white table in the large American hotel room.
A huge national flag hung high on the back wall near the stage.
Guests in fancy suits and dresses talked happily with drinks in hand.
Arthur stood near the head table in his black wedding tuxedo.
He was the head of a major family business in town.
His young bride Victoria stood right beside him smiling brightly.
Her white wedding dress dragged gracefully along the shiny wooden floor.
An old maid named Sarah watched the party from the back corner.
Sarah had worked for Arthur's wealthy family for over ten years.
She kept the grand estate clean and cared for his elderly mother.
Arthur always treated Sarah with kindness and deep personal respect.
Sarah noticed Victoria step near the dessert table a few moments ago.
Victoria glanced around quickly to see if anyone was watching her.
She pulled a tiny glass vial from her lace sleeve in secret.
She poured three dark drops directly into Arthur's fresh champagne glass.
Sarah felt her stomach drop as she saw the clear betrayal happen.
She knew she had to take action before Arthur drank the liquid.
Arthur raised the crystal glass toward his mouth to make a toast.
Sarah ran across the room as fast as her legs could carry her.
She reached out her hand and struck the glass out of his grip.
The thin crystal shattered loudly against the polished floor tiles.
Golden champagne splashed across Arthur's dark leather shoes and pants.
The entire hall fell silent as the music stopped instantly.
Arthur froze in complete shock and looked down at the broken glass.
Victoria let out a loud gasp and turned toward the nervous maid.
Her face twisted with pure rage as she confronted Sarah in public.
"How dare you touch my husband!" Victoria shouted in anger.
Victoria raised her hand and struck Sarah sharply across the face.
The force of the slap sent the poor maid stumbling backward.
Sarah held her red cheek as tears filled her tired brown eyes.
Victoria pointed her finger straight down at the wet sticky floor.
"Kneel down and pick up every piece!" Victoria demanded loudly.
Arthur stepped between them with a look of deep confusion.
He looked at his new bride and then down at his loyal maid.
Sarah reached into her dark apron pocket with a steady hand.
She pulled out her smartphone and tapped the screen twice.
She held the glowing screen directly in front of Arthur's eyes.
"I think you need to see this, sir," Sarah whispered softly.