Sophia let out a heartrending cry, running straight to her mother's side as Evelyn lay on the cold tiles, clutching her burning cheek where a red mark was already forming. The young girl dropped to her knees, burying her head against Evelyn’s shoulder while tears ruined her purple dress. Julian stood over the fallen mother and child with his hands on his hips, a cruel, arrogant sneer spreading across his face as he looked down at them without a single shred of remorse. "That's what happens when you raise a thief," Julian mocked loudly, addressing the surrounding crowd as if he had just performed a noble public service. Sophia looked up through her tears, whimpering softly, "Mommy, I didn't take it... I promise!"
To make matters worse, Victoria, a wealthy socialite wearing an elaborate peach silk dress, stepped forward from the ring of onlookers. Instead of showing empathy for the injured woman and her crying child, Victoria sneered in disgust, eager to gain favor with Julian. She reached down and struck Evelyn across the face a second time, the heavy diamond rings on her fingers scratching Evelyn's cheek. "Evelyn, stop making a fuss! You're ruining my party!" Victoria shouted, holding her champagne glass high while urging security to throw the two out into the street. Evelyn took a deep, shaky breath, wiping a thin smear of blood from her face as tears glistened in her eyes, but deep within her chest, fear transformed into a blazing, protective fire.