General Arthur Hayes walked straight down the white aisle, ignoring the stares of two hundred wealthy guests. He stepped past the rose petals, his face softening the moment his eyes landed on his daughter.
Arthur: Lily... my sweet girl.
Lily: Father... you came.
Arthur: I would cross the world for you, sweetheart.
General Hayes reached down gently, placing his hands under Lily's arms to help her stand up safely on the marble floor. He dusted off her white silk gown, wiping the tears from her red cheeks with his thumb.
Lily: He canceled the wedding, Dad... in front of everyone.
Arthur: I know, baby. I heard every word from the doorway.
The general turned his gaze toward Julian, his shoulders straight and his chin held high. He took a slow breath, stepping closer to the young groom in the tuxedo.
Arthur: Young man, I know my daughter loves you with all her heart. She has talked about you every single day for three years.
Julian: I don't care what she talked about. The wedding is off.
Arthur: I am asking you as a father who loves his child. Please, reconsider this.
General Hayes lowered his head slightly, bowing his shoulders in desperation for his daughter's happiness.
Arthur: PLEASE, MARRY MY DAUGHTER! DON'T DESTROY HER LIFE LIKE THIS!
Victoria: Look at this pathetic display, Julian! An old man begging on his knees!
Julian let out a loud, mocking laugh, crossing his arms tighter over his chest as he stepped right into the general's face.
Julian: YOU THINK A UNIFORM IMPRESSES ME?! YOU'RE STILL BENEATH US!
Arthur: My rank is not about pride, son. It's about service. But my daughter deserves respect.
Julian: She deserves nothing! You're just a glorified security guard with shiny medals, old man!
Victoria: Get out of our way before I have our private guards escort you off the property!
Lily: Don't talk to my father like that!
Julian: Shut up, Lily! Your father is a nobody, just like you!
Arthur straightened his back, his blue eyes turning cold as ice as he looked Julian dead in the eye.
Arthur: You think my family is poor because we live simply?
Julian: You live in a tiny house in Texas! My father owns five skyscrapers in downtown Dallas!
Arthur: Your father's firm operates on land leased from the United States military, Mr. Vance.
Julian smirked, waving his hand dismissively in the air.
Julian: So what? We pay our rent on time. That doesn't make you important.
Arthur: You don't pay rent to the government. You pay rent to the Hayes Family Defense Trust.
Victoria's smirk flickered for a fraction of a second, her brows furrowing as she looked at her son.
Victoria: What is he talking about, Julian?
Julian: He's making up nonsense to save face, Mom. Ignore him.
Arthur: Captain Miller, hand me the folder.
A soldier stepped forward, handing a thick leather folder directly to the four-star general.
Arthur: Let's see if you still think I'm beneath you after you read page three.