The bright light streaming through the tall glass windows made the blue numbers on David's phone screen clear to everyone standing nearby. Several women in the crowd gasped in horror as they realized David had indeed been sending massive sums of cash that were never spent on the child. Evelyn's face turned from pale white to a deep, embarrassed red as her lies fell apart right in front of Dallas society.
David: YOU'RE GOING TO EXPLAIN EVERY SINGLE CENT!
Evelyn: Stop this right now! You are ruining my life's work!
David: You ruined my daughter's health for your own vanity!
Evelyn: She is my daughter's child! I have more right to her than you do!
David: You starved her while you bought custom jewelry and threw parties!
Lily: Daddy, she locked me in the closet when I cried for you...
A heavy, collective gasp shook the entire venue as Lily's small, trembling voice echoed through the high-ceilinged marble room. The news of the child being locked away caused several guests to back away from Evelyn as if she were a dangerous monster.
Evelyn panicked, realizing her social status and reputation were completely destroyed in a single afternoon. She lunged forward with her manicured nails raised, trying to grab Lily's arm to pull her away from David's chest.
Evelyn: Give her to me! You don't have custody paperwork here!
David: Don't you dare touch her!
David turned his shoulder to protect Lily from Evelyn's reaching hands, shoving Evelyn back with a firm chest bump that made her stumble backward. Evelyn caught her balance on the polished floor, her eyes wide with unhinged rage as she lost all control of her temper in front of her friends.
Evelyn: You useless oil worker! I will destroy you in court! I have lawyers!
David: You won't have a penny left for lawyers when the state sees this!
Evelyn: I am taking her back whether you like it or not!
Evelyn charged forward again, completely ignoring the security guards and guests who were shouting for her to stop. She reached out wildly to snatch the crying girl right out of David's arms, her face contorted in a terrifying mask of greed and hatred.