The quiet room buzzed with intense whispers as guests stared at the fallen host.
Chloe looked up from the floor, tears of anger swelling in her dark eyes.
Julian ignored his fallen fiancée completely and took three fast steps toward Elena.
Julian: Elena, where have you been for the past five years?
Elena: That is none of your business anymore, Mr. Vance.
Chloe: Julian, why are you talking to this trash instead of helping me up?
Julian turned around slowly, looking down at Chloe with absolute disgust.
Julian: She isn't trash, Chloe. She used to manage my family's trust estate.
The guests nearby whispered loudly as the secret truth began to spill out.
Five years ago, Elena had been a top legal investigator for major corporate accounts.
She had suddenly disappeared after uncovering massive fraud inside Julian's family firm.
Everyone thought she had taken the missing money and fled the country forever.
In reality, Chloe's father had framed Elena to cover up his own massive crimes.
Elena had lost her license, her savings, and her career in a single night.
She had taken basic service jobs just to survive while building a legal defense.
Julian had searched for her for years, believing she was entirely innocent all along.
Now she stood before him in a grey server's uniform on marble floors.
Chloe scrambled back to her feet, her expensive gold dress completely wrinkled now.
Chloe: She's a criminal, Julian! My father told everyone what she did!
Elena: Your father lied to save his own company from going to prison.
Julian: I knew it. I always knew my father-in-law lied about that money.
Chloe looked around frantically, realizing that she was losing control of the room.
Two hotel security officers finally reached the scene, looking uncertain about whom to handle.
Chloe: Arrest her! She assaulted me in front of all these witnesses!
Julian: Don't you touch her. Not a single step closer.