The afternoon sun poured through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows, reflecting off the polished white marble floors of the luxury mansion hall.
Arthur: I need to sit down. The room is spinning again.
Victoria: Oh, stop acting so dramatic, Arthur. We have wealthy investors arriving.
Arthur: I am not acting. My left ear is completely numb.
Arthur adjusted his black tuxedo collar, his face turning pale under the bright, high-key lighting of their engagement party.
Victoria: You just have a slight headache. Drink some more of that special tea I made for you.
Arthur: I don't want the tea. Everything tastes bitter today.
Victoria: I had the private chef prepare it exactly how you like it. Don't be ungrateful.
Victoria smoothed down her stunning silver sequin dress, flashing a fake, brilliant smile at a group of corporate guests walking past.
Arthur: Victoria, please. Call the family doctor. The ringing in my ears is getting worse.
Victoria: I am not ruining our luxury estate party just because you feel a little dizzy.
Arthur: This isn't just dizziness! I feel incredibly weak, like my body is shutting down.
Victoria: Stand up straight and look at the camera. SMILE, DARLING!
A sudden, high-pitched ringing chime echoed loudly through Arthur's mind, followed by a low, tense drone that made his knees buckle.
Arthur: Ah! It hurts!
He suddenly clutched his ear in extreme discomfort, turning away from the flashing cameras and the crowd of laughing guests.
Victoria: What is wrong with you? Get your hand off your face right now!
Arthur: I can't hear anything out of this ear! It's just a loud, buzzing drone!
Victoria: You are embarrassing me in front of the board of directors!
Before Arthur could respond, a small shadow moved from behind the heavy velvet curtain near the grand staircase.
Arthur: Lily? Sweetheart, what are you doing hiding back there?
Seven-year-old Lily stepped forward into the bright daylight, clutching her worn stuffed bunny tightly against her chest.
Victoria: Go back to your playroom, Lily. The adults are busy right now.
Lily: No. I have to tell Daddy something important.
Victoria: I said go upstairs! Thomas, come get the child!
Lily ignored the woman in the silver dress, her small eyes fixed directly on her father's pale, sweating face.