Matthew lowered his hands immediately and took a small step behind Lily.
Lily stood her ground and looked up at the tall angry man bravely.
Richard: This gala is for serious business, not for foolish children's games.
Lily: We are not playing games, we are having a real conversation sir!
Richard sneered and pointed his long finger directly at Matthew's small chest.
Richard: My brother only adopted you to look good for the local newspapers.
Matthew understood the heavy words from reading Richard's thin moving lips carefully.
A deep pain hit his heart as tears gathered in his soft eyes.
He had always worried that he was a burden to his loving father.
He wondered if people truly believed David only wanted him for public fame.
Richard stepped closer, trying to intimidate the young boy even more tonight.
Richard: You do not share our blood, and you never will be real family.
Lily: That is a mean lie and you should leave him alone right now!
Richard ignored the brave little girl in the red satin dress completely.
Richard: The company board will see that David made a mistake adopting you.
Matthew looked down at his shiny black shoes as his hands shook slightly.
He wanted to run away and hide in a quiet corner upstairs.
He felt like the entire grand room was staring and judging him harshly.
The loud orchestral music seemed to grow colder and darker around his ears.
Richard pulled out a thick legal document from inside his dark jacket pocket.
Richard: I have the papers right here to challenge David's legal trust fund today.
He wanted to strip Matthew of his rightful place in the family business trust.
Lily grabbed Matthew's cold hand and held it as tight as she could.
Lily: Do not listen to his mean words, Matthew!
Matthew: Maybe he is right about me not belonging in this place.
Lily: No, your father loves you more than anything in this entire world!
Before Richard could say another word, heavy footsteps echoed across the marble floor.
A strong hand reached out and grabbed Richard's shoulder with firm force.