Claire: Let's go, Lily. Hold onto my hand tight.
Lily: Mommy, that lady was mean to me.
Claire: I know, baby. She won't ever hurt you again.
Evelyn: Security! Stop them! Don't let them leave this house!
Evelyn struggled to sit up on the polished floor, her teal satin dress wrinkled and dirty. Her hands shook as she pointed at the exit doors.
Guest 1: Did you see that? She actually kicked Mrs. Vance!
Guest 2: Who is that young woman? She must be completely insane!
Evelyn: Someone grab her! She assaulted me in my own home!
Two large security guards stepped out from the main foyer, blocking the front doorway with their arms crossed over their dark suits.
Guard 1: Ma'am, you need to stay right here until the police arrive.
Claire: Get out of my way.
Guard 1: I can't do that, miss. Mrs. Vance owns this mansion.
Claire: I don't care if she owns the whole town. Move before I make you move.
Claire's voice was ice cold, her blue eyes locked onto the guard without a trace of fear.
Evelyn: Hold her there! I am going to press charges! I will ruin your life, you little nobody!
Evelyn finally pushed herself up from the hardwood floor, leaning heavily against a marble pillar for support. Her face was flushed dark red with shame and anger.
Evelyn: Look at my dress! Look at my face!
Claire: Look at my daughter. She's six years old, Evelyn. You screamed at her over a dropped glass of punch.
Evelyn: She ruined a fifteen-thousand-dollar designer gown! Her whole life isn't worth that dress!
Claire took a step back toward Evelyn, her fists clenching tightly at her sides. The guests held their breath, expecting another strike.
Claire: Say that again. I dare you.
Evelyn: I said what I said! You're nothing but trash in a cheap dress!
Lily: Mommy, I want to go home. I'm scared.
Claire: Shh, sweetie. Mommy's right here.
A tall man in a navy blue tailored suit pushed his way through the crowd of onlookers. His eyes swept over the messy scene, taking in Evelyn's disheveled state and Claire's fierce stance.
Richard: What on earth is happening in my foyer?!
Evelyn: Richard! Oh, thank God you're back!
Evelyn limped toward the man, wiping her eyes to force out fake tears of distress.
Evelyn: Look what this crazy girl did to me! She attacked me! She slapped me and kicked me to the floor!
Richard: What? Who is she?
Evelyn: She's a nobody! Some uninvited gatecrasher with a bratty child!
Richard turned his gaze toward Claire. As his eyes landed on her face, his expression froze completely. The color drained out of his cheeks in an instant.
Richard: Claire...?
Claire: Hello, Richard. Long time no see.
Evelyn: Richard, tell security to arrest her right now!
Richard: Evelyn, shut your mouth.
Evelyn: What?! Richard, I am your mother!
Richard: I said shut up!
Richard stepped past his mother, his hands visibly shaking as he took a step toward Claire. The guests began muttering in confusion, completely baffled by his sudden reaction.
Claire: Is this how your family treats guests at your charity events, Richard?
Richard: Claire, please... I had no idea you were coming today.
Claire: I was invited by the board. But it seems your mother thinks my daughter is beneath her.
Evelyn: Richard! Why are you talking to her like that?! She's just a common intruder!
Richard: Mother, stop talking before you destroy this entire family!
Evelyn blinked in shock, her jaw dropping as she looked between her son and the young woman in the black dress.
Evelyn: Destroy us? What are you talking about?
Richard: She doesn't just own the company that sponsors our foundation, Mother.
Richard took a deep breath, turning to face his mother with eyes full of panic and dread.
Richard: She holds the master deed to this entire mansion.