A man standing nearby chuckled nervously.
Alexander turned toward the small gathering.
"Honestly, why do establishments hire people who clearly have no idea what they're doing?"
Emily felt tears pressing against her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
She had worked two jobs while completing her education. She had cleaned hotel rooms, washed dishes, and taken overnight shifts at a grocery store. She knew what it meant to be tired. She knew what it meant to be overlooked.
But she also knew that losing her temper would not help her pay the bills.
"I'm sorry, sir," she repeated quietly.
Alexander stepped closer.
"Sorry doesn't fix anything."
"I understand."
"No, you don't." He glanced at the tray in her hands. "Look at you. Standing here pretending you belong in a room like this."
The words struck harder than Emily expected.
Not because she believed him, but because they reminded her of every person who had ever mistaken her circumstances for her worth.
She took a slow breath.
"Sir, I understand you're upset. I'll arrange to have your jacket taken care of, but I would appreciate it if you spoke to me respectfully."
The ballroom fell silent around them.
Alexander stared at her.
Then he smiled.
It was not a friendly smile.
"Respectfully? You spill champagne on me, and now you're telling me how to speak?"
"I'm only asking you not to insult me."
"Who do you think you are?"
Emily opened her mouth, but before she could answer, Alexander seized the edge of her serving tray and shoved it aside.
The tray struck a nearby table. Glasses toppled, and champagne splashed across the marble floor.
A woman gasped.
Emily stumbled backward, trying to regain her balance.
Alexander grabbed her arm.
"Maybe you'll learn to be more careful next time."
"Please let go of me," Emily said, her voice trembling.
Instead of releasing her immediately, he tightened his grip.
Several guests finally began to move toward them, but nobody acted quickly enough.
Then a man in a black suit stepped forward.
"Let her go."
The voice was calm, but there was something in it that made the surrounding guests turn.
Alexander looked over his shoulder.
The newcomer was tall, broad-shouldered, and dressed in a simple black tuxedo. Unlike the other men in the ballroom, he wore no conspicuous jewelry. His expression was controlled, and his eyes were fixed on Alexander's hand around Emily's arm.
Alexander released her with an irritated gesture.
"Stay out of this."
The newcomer ignored him.
"Are you hurt?" he asked Emily.
She rubbed her arm and shook her head.
"I'm all right."
"Are you sure?"
Emily nodded, although her eyes remained fixed on the floor.
Alexander gave a dismissive laugh.
"This is a private event. I suggest you stop making a scene."
The man in black turned toward him.
"You were the one making a scene."
A few guests quietly murmured.
Alexander's expression hardened.
"Do you know who I am?"
The newcomer looked at him for a long moment.
"Yes. Unfortunately, I do."
Alexander's jaw tightened.
"Then you should understand that I don't appreciate being challenged in front of my associates."
"And I don't appreciate watching a man use his money as an excuse to intimidate someone who cannot easily defend herself."
The room became completely silent.
Alexander stepped forward.
"Careful."
The newcomer did not move.
"Let me make something clear. You can complain about the service. You can ask for a manager. You can even request that the cost of your jacket be covered. But you do not get to grab someone because you're angry."
Alexander glanced around, searching for support.
He expected the guests to side with him. After all, he was a prominent businessman, and the newcomer looked like little more than another guest who had decided to interfere.
"Security!" Alexander shouted.