Thomas extended the silver tray. Resting in the center was a small, empty plastic zip-lock bag with traces of a heavy white powder inside.
Thomas: The kitchen staff confirmed that Ms. Victoria specifically ordered them out of the room while she prepared your soup, sir.
Victoria: They are lying! The servants have always hated me because I demand perfection!
Arthur: What is in this bag, Victoria? And do not tell me it is sea salt.
Victoria: I don't know! Maybe one of the maids has a terrible drug habit!
Arthur: I have known these maids for fifteen years. They are honest, hardworking people.
Victoria: Then Thomas planted it! He wants to stop our wedding because he knows I will fire him!
Arthur: Thomas was the one who drove my wife to the hospital when Lily was born. He is family.
Arthur took a step forward, his tall frame towering over Victoria as his expression contorted into explosive rage.
Arthur: YOU CHEATED ME! YOU WANTED TO KILL ME, CHEAP LADY!
Victoria: Don't you dare raise your voice at me in front of these people!
Arthur: You manipulated your way into my home, smiled at my daughter, and poisoned my food!
Victoria: You are a weak, pathetic old fool, Arthur! You were lucky I even looked at you!
Arthur swung his arm back with blistering speed and slapped the woman in the silver dress forcefully across the face.
A loud, sharp crack echoed through the massive hall, completely silencing the room.
Victoria: Ahh!
She stumbled backward in absolute horror, her high heels slipping on the polished marble as she desperately clutched her stinging, reddened cheek.
The wealthy guests gasped in collective shock, the sound of a dropped champagne glass shattering against the floor.
Victoria: You hit me! You actually hit me!
Arthur: I should have done it the moment you yelled at my daughter!
Victoria: Look at him, everyone! He is an abusive monster! Call the police on him!
Harrison: I think calling the police is an excellent idea, Victoria. But not for Arthur.
Victoria: I will sue you for everything you own, Arthur! I will take this mansion and leave you on the street!
Arthur: You won't get a single dime from my estate.
Victoria: I am your legal fiancé! I have rights to the settlement!
Arthur: You have nothing. You are a criminal who tried to murder a father for a life insurance payout.
Victoria: It isn't murder! I just bought some heavy sedatives online to make you sleep more so I could manage the accounts!
The entire room went dead silent again as Victoria's accidental confession hung in the bright, sunlit air.
Arthur: Did everyone hear that? She just admitted it.
Victoria: No! I didn't mean it like that! I was just stressed out by all the wedding planning!
Harrison: Victoria, as an officer of the court, I am officially informing you that any claim you had to the Vance estate is permanently voided.
Victoria: Shut up, Harrison! I have a signed contract!
Harrison: A contract that requires good faith and no criminal misconduct. You just confessed to felony poisoning in front of fifty witnesses.