Victoria: Look at you! You stand there pretend to be refined, but your body shows what you really are[cite: 1]!
Claire: Is this supposed to embarrass me, Victoria[cite: 1]?
Victoria: It exposes you! For years you let everyone think you were on some grand vacation, but look at those scars[cite: 1]! You were whipped like a dog! What illegal scum were you hanging out with[cite: 1]?
The crowd whispered frantically, their disgusted eyes glued to the deep ridges cut into Claire's back[cite: 1]. Old money aristocrats pulled their daughters away, shaking their heads in utter disbelief[cite: 1].
Guest 1: How repulsive! To bring such marks into a respectable ballroom[cite: 1]!
Guest 2: She must have done something truly terrible to be beaten like that[cite: 1]!
Claire: I suggest you let go of my dress and back away, Victoria[cite: 1]. You're embarrassing yourself[cite: 1].
Victoria: I am embarrassing myself?! You’re the one standing in front of the finest families in the state showing off your criminal punishment[cite: 1]!
Claire’s uncle, Lord Harrison Sterling, pushed his way through the circle of guests, his face twisted in rage as he glared at Claire[cite: 1]. He pointed a shaking finger at her torn dress, his voice booming over the whispers[cite: 1].
Harrison: You should have stayed away, Claire[cite: 1]! You come back here after six years to bring shame upon the Sterling family name[cite: 1]!
Claire: I didn't come to bring shame, Uncle Harrison. I came to collect what belonged to my late father[cite: 1].
Harrison: Your father’s estate belongs to those who protected his company! Not a runaway girl who got herself locked in a third-world prison[cite: 1]!
Claire: I was never in prison, Uncle Harrison[cite: 1].
Harrison: Don't lie to me! Look at your back! Those aren't surgery marks, those are whip lashes[cite: 1]! You brought dishonor to this house[cite: 1]!
Claire: I stayed until everyone escaped[cite: 1].
Harrison: Escaped from what?! Stop speaking in riddles! You’re a disgrace, and I’m stripping you of your inheritance tonight[cite: 1]!
Victoria: That’s right, Father! Give her share of the trust fund to someone who actually deserves it! Guards, kick this hideous creature off the property[cite: 1]!
Two heavy security guards stepped forward, reaching out to grab Claire’s arms[cite: 1]. Claire didn't flinch or back down[cite: 1]. She stood her ground, her gaze cold and piercing as she looked at her uncle[cite: 1].
Claire: Touch me, and you will answer to the United States Armed Forces[cite: 1].
Victoria: The Armed Forces?! She’s completely insane, Father! She thinks her little lies will save her now[cite: 1]!
Before the security guards could lay a finger on her, the heavy double oak doors of the grand hall slammed open with a deafening bang that echoed off the high marble ceilings[cite: 1].