The bright lights of the grand ballroom sparkled overhead like millions of tiny stars.
Laughter and soft music filled the air as wealthy guests walked across the room.
A massive American flag hung proudly on the tall white wall near the front stage.
Little seven-year-old Lily stood near the edge of the polished wooden dance floor.
She wore a simple pink dress with white lace around the small collar.
In her tiny hand, she held a single peach rose from the garden outside.
Lily wanted to make her new stepmother happy on this special night.
Her father Mark had married Victoria just three short months ago.
Victoria was a tall woman who always wore expensive red designer dresses.
She managed the luxury clothing division of the family inheritance business.
Lily walked slowly toward Victoria with a hopeful smile on her face.
She carefully kept her small shoes from scuffing the shiny wooden floor.
Lily: I brought you a flower from the garden, Victoria.
Victoria turned around quickly and looked down at the little girl.
Her sharp green eyes narrowed as she looked at the pink dress.
Victoria: Get that dirty flower away from my expensive red dress!
Victoria reached down and snatched the soft pink rose right out of her hands.
She crushed the delicate petals and tossed the stem onto the floor.
The flower landed near Victoria's high heel shoes with a soft thud.
Lily gasped loudly as tears instantly filled her big brown eyes.
Lily: Why did you do that to my flower?
Victoria: You are ruining my moment at this charity gala, you brat!
Victoria stepped forward aggressively and pointed her long red fingernail at Lily.
The harsh words echoed slightly against the high marble ceiling of the hall.
Lily began to cry softly as she stepped backward away from Victoria.
Several guests stopped talking and turned around to see what was happening.
Mark stood nearby holding a glass of sparkling water near the catering table.
He saw his daughter crying but he did not move to help her.
Mark: Victoria is just stressed about the business launch, Lily.
Lily: She threw my pretty rose on the ground, Daddy!
Mark looked away from his daughter and smoothed his black tuxedo jacket.
He was afraid to stand up to his new wife in public.
Victoria patted her dark hair and smiled coldly at the surrounding guests.
She acted as if nothing wrong had just taken place near the stage.
Lily wiped her wet cheeks with the back of her pink dress sleeve.
She felt completely alone in the giant room full of rich strangers.
The festive background music kept playing as if everything was completely normal.
Nobody seemed willing to step in and defend the small child.
Victoria took another step toward Lily with a cold sneer on her face.
Victoria: Go back to your seat before you ruin my night completely.