A dozen black-suited bodyguards poured through the doorway, forming two perfect lines down the center aisle of the hall. Behind them stepped a tall, silver-haired man in a bespoke charcoal suit, his eyes burning with lethal rage.
Brandon: CHAIRMAN?!
Brandon's father stumbled backward, nearly tripping over his own chair as his face turned as white as a sheet.
Groom's Father: Chairman Harrison Sterling... sir!
Harrison Sterling walked down the aisle with heavy, deliberate steps. Every footfall echoed like thunder against the marble floor. He didn't look at the flowers, the decorations, or the five hundred wealthy guests. His eyes were fixed entirely on his daughter, who stood holding her scraped shoulder.
Harrison: Who laid their hands on my daughter?
His voice was quiet, but it carried across the massive room like a physical blow.
Chloe: Chairman Sterling! Welcome! We... we didn't know you were coming to our wedding!
Harrison didn't even look at Chloe. He stepped past her and pulled Maya into a tight, protective embrace.
Harrison: Are you hurt, Maya?
Maya: My shoulder hurts, Dad. And he shoved me to the ground in front of everyone.
Harrison: Which one?
Maya pointed her finger directly at Brandon, who was shaking so violently his hands were twitching inside his tuxedo sleeves.
Maya: Brandon shoved me down. And his bride kicked my arm while I was on the floor.
Harrison slowly turned around to face Brandon and Chloe. The air in the luxury hall turned ice-cold.
Harrison: You shoved my daughter onto a marble floor?
Brandon: Sir! Chairman Sterling! Please, let me explain! It was a complete misunderstanding!
Harrison: A misunderstanding?
Brandon: We thought she was an intruder! She wasn't wearing a guest badge, and she was in the bride's private corridor!
Maya: I was in my own suite, Brandon! Your bride had her security team lock me in so she could use my balcony for her photo shoot!
Harrison: Is this true, young lady?
Chloe fumbled with the train of her gown, her face flushed with bright red embarrassment.
Chloe: I... I needed the light for my wedding pictures! The balcony in the penthouse had the best sunset view! I didn't know someone was living in that suite!
Harrison: You locked a guest inside her room so you could take photographs?
Chloe: I told the venue coordinator to clear the floor! I didn't know she was your daughter!
Harrison: So if she weren't my daughter, it would have been acceptable to lock her in a room and kick her on the floor?
Chloe: No! I mean... yes! I mean... I'm sorry!
Harrison turned his cold gaze toward Brandon's father, who was sweating profusely through his silk collar.
Harrison: Arthur. Step forward.
Groom's Father: Yes, Chairman! Right away, sir!
Arthur practically fell over himself as he hurried to stand beside his son.
Harrison: Your company manages this facility under a five-year service contract with Sterling Global, correct?
Groom's Father: Yes, sir. We've managed it for three years now with record profits!
Harrison: As of thirty seconds ago, your management contract is canceled. Your firm is evicted from every Sterling property nationwide.
Groom's Father: WHAT?! Sir, please! That contract represents eighty percent of our total corporate revenue!
Harrison: Then I suggest you find another line of work, Arthur. Because by tomorrow morning, your firm won't exist.