Guests throughout the ceremony froze in stunned disbelief, several rising halfway from their seats, uncertain how to respond to the shocking violence unfolding directly beneath the wedding arch. Priscilla leaned closer to Eleanor, her voice rising into a furious scream. "Keep your filthy hands off my wedding!"
Damien moved quickly to reinforce his wife's aggressive outburst, grabbing Eleanor's arms roughly and pulling her away from the red carpet with unmistakable hostility. "Nobodies don't belong near this family," he snapped, his voice carrying easily across the increasingly horrified crowd of wedding guests.
Eleanor struggled against his rough grip, her earlier calm confusion shifting into genuine alarm as Damien's aggressive handling continued. "Please," she said quietly, though her plea did nothing to soften either Damien's or Priscilla's mounting hostility toward her.
Several guests exchanged horrified, uncomfortable glances, clearly recognizing the disproportionate cruelty being directed toward an elderly stranger who had done nothing more than wander too close to the ceremony's decorative arch. A few guests rose fully now, though hesitation about intervening in the couple's aggressive behavior kept most rooted uncomfortably in place.