The grand banquet hall was filled with hundreds of wealthy guests, crystal chandeliers, and white roses. Waiters moved silently between round tables, pouring expensive wine into polished glasses. Suddenly, the heavy doors opened and Victoria walked down the aisle in a sharp white suit.
Victoria: LEARN YOUR PLACE!
A sudden gasp echoed across the room as guests turned to look at her. Victoria sneered at the people sitting nearby, her heels clicking loudly against the marble floor. But in the middle of the room, a young brunette woman in a black dress slowly stood up.
Victoria: You should have stayed in the dirt where you belong, Evelyn!
A fresh cut bled on Evelyn's cheek, a thin red line contrast against her pale skin. Her eyes opened resolutely as she wiped a drop of blood with her thumb. Across the table, a young man in a tuxedo stood up in a panic.
Julian: EVELYN, DON'T!
Evelyn: Stay out of this, Julian. You made your choice three years ago.
Julian: Evelyn, please, you don't know what she's capable of!
Victoria: She's a nobody! Look at her! She thinks wearing a black dress makes her important!
Evelyn stepped around the table, ignoring Julian completely. She walked straight toward Victoria, her eyes locked on her rival's face. Victoria laughed arrogantly, raising her chin in defense.
Victoria: What are you going to do, hit me? You don't have a single dollar left to your name!
SLAP!
The sharp sound echoed through the high ceilings of the hall like a gunshot. Victoria's head whipped to the side, her white jacket shifting as her hand flew to her stinging cheek. The entire audience gasped, staring in total shock at the sight of Victoria stumbling backward.
Victoria: You... you hit me?!
Julian stared open-mouthed in utter disbelief, his glass shaking in his trembling hand.
Evelyn: SHOULD I INTRODUCE MYSELF PROPERLY?
Victoria: Guards! Security! Throw this crazy woman out!
Evelyn turned her head slowly, looking at every billionaire, executive, and board member in the room with absolute authority.
Evelyn: YOUR EMPIRE SURVIVED BECAUSE I ALLOWED IT!
The silence in the hall was deafening. No security guard moved a muscle as Evelyn lifted her head, ready to burn down the lies that had built the room.