Annette: Victoria, how could you do something so wicked to an innocent young girl?![cite: 1]
Victoria: Stay out of this, Annette! You don't know what's going on!
Ethan: I know exactly what's going on. You didn't just try to ruin Lily's life—you tried to set up a scandal so my catering contract would get canceled!
Victoria: That's not true! I would never do something like that!
Ethan: Your father's firm lost the bidding war for this estate's management contract last month, didn't they? You wanted a theft to happen under my watch so the board would fire my security team and hire your family's agency instead!
Lily: You... you slapped me and tried to send me to prison just for a business contract?![cite: 1]
Victoria: Shut up, you little cockroach! You're nothing! You're a nobody!
Ethan: Don't you dare talk to her like that! You came into my home, assaulted my employee[cite: 1], and attempted to destroy her future just to satisfy your own sick greed!
Victoria: Ethan, please... we've known each other for years! Our families do business together! You can't ruin my life over a stupid mistake!
Ethan: A mistake is dropping a glass, Victoria. Framing an innocent girl for grand larceny and striking her across the face is a felony[cite: 1].
Lily touched her sore cheek, her tears finally stopping as she looked up at Ethan with quiet relief[cite: 1]. For the first time all evening, someone was standing up for her, defending her dignity against the powerful socialites who thought they could walk all over her[cite: 1].
Lily: I want the police called, sir. She hit me[cite: 1], and she tried to put me in jail[cite: 1].
Victoria: You wouldn't dare, you little brat! My father's lawyers will destroy you before you ever step foot in a courtroom!
Ethan: Her lawyers won't have to do anything, Victoria, because my legal team will be representing Lily personally. And I am paying for every single cent of her court fees.
Victoria: Ethan! You're choosing a maid over me?!
Ethan: I am choosing honesty over a criminal. Marcus, bring the officers inside right now. They're waiting in the foyer.
The heavy double doors opened, and two uniformed police officers walked into the high-key luxury hall, their heavy boots stepping firmly on the white marble floor[cite: 1].