Emily lifted Sophie out of the cold shallow water and pulled her close.
The young girl was dripping wet and shivering violently against her mother's chest.
Emily knelt down on the soft grass while wrapping her arms around Sophie.
Emily: I have got you now baby, you are safe.
Sophie sobbed softly while burying her wet face into Emily's warm shoulder.
Before Mark could reach them, Victoria rushed forward while raising her hands high.
She pointed her finger accusingly at Emily while looking toward the approaching guests.
Victoria: Emily let her fall because she was not paying attention!
Victoria: She is an utterly unfit mother to this poor innocent child!
Mark ran up to the bank with a look of extreme panic on his face.
He heard his mother's loud shouts and looked down at his wet family.
Mark: What on earth just happened here, Emily?
Emily: I did not do anything wrong, Mark!
Victoria: She was looking at her phone and ignored the child!
Victoria walked closer to Mark and put a hand on his arm firmly.
Victoria: I told you she was irresponsible before you married her!
Victoria: We need to contact our family divorce lawyer right away!
Victoria: She cannot be trusted with the kids or our inheritance!
Emily felt tears of anger burn in her eyes as she stood up slowly.
She held Sophie tightly while facing her mother in law's harsh accusations.
The gathered crowd began whispering among themselves as tension grew thick in the air.
Mark looked deeply conflicted as he stared back and forth between the women.
He wanted to protect his wife, but his mother's confident voice confused him.
Victoria leaned in closer to Mark to whisper more poisonous words in his ear.
Victoria: Look at her creating a scene at our family estate party.
Emily: Stop lying to my husband about what happened!
Victoria: The truth hurts, but everyone here saw your gross negligence!
Sophie wiped the water from her eyes and looked up at her father.
Her small hand pointed directly at Victoria with fierce childish courage.
Sophie: Grandma lied, Daddy!