Two security guards hurried toward them.
"Remove this man from the ballroom."
The guards approached cautiously.
"Sir, we need you to step away from Mr. Whitmore."
The man in black nodded toward Emily.
"She should be the one receiving assistance."
One guard looked at the spilled champagne and scattered glasses. The other glanced at Emily's reddened arm.
Neither seemed eager to take sides.
Alexander pointed toward the newcomer.
"Did you hear me? Get him out!"
The newcomer exhaled slowly.
"I was hoping we could resolve this without embarrassing anyone."
Alexander laughed.
"You think you can embarrass me?"
"No," the man replied. "I think you're doing an excellent job of that yourself."
Someone near the back of the ballroom covered a laugh with a cough.
Alexander's face reddened.
He stepped forward and shoved the newcomer in the chest.
The movement was sudden enough to make several guests cry out.
The man in black staggered backward but regained his balance.
For one brief second, the two men stared at each other.
Then Alexander swung his arm again, attempting to strike him.
The newcomer caught his wrist and turned away from the blow. Alexander lost his balance, stumbled across the polished floor, and crashed down hard.
The impact echoed through the ballroom.
Before anyone could react, Alexander grabbed at the man's jacket, pulling him down with him. The two men struggled briefly on the marble floor, knocking against a chair as guests scattered away from the commotion.
"Stop!" someone screamed.
Security rushed between them.
The man in black released Alexander immediately and moved backward, raising both hands to show that he wanted no further confrontation.
Alexander remained on the floor, breathing heavily, his perfect tuxedo rumpled and one knee stained by champagne.
He stared upward in disbelief.
Nobody had ever dared to challenge him like that.
The newcomer straightened his jacket.
"Are you finished?" he asked.
Alexander scrambled to his feet with the assistance of a guard.
"You attacked me!"
Several guests exchanged looks.
They had all seen who shoved first.
The newcomer shook his head.
"You should be grateful that everyone here witnessed what actually happened."
Alexander pointed at him furiously.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with."
The man in black looked toward the stage, where the evening's host had just stepped away from a microphone.
"Actually, Alexander, I believe you are the one who has no idea."
Alexander paused.
Something about the stranger's tone unsettled him.
Before he could respond, a woman in an elegant navy dress approached from the far side of the room. She was accompanied by two event coordinators and carried a small folder.
"Mr. Bennett," she said to the newcomer, visibly relieved. "We've been looking everywhere for you. The board members are ready."
The name changed the atmosphere.
Several executives turned sharply.
One older guest whispered to another.
"Mr. Bennett? Daniel Bennett?"
Alexander's expression shifted.
He knew that name.
Everyone in his industry knew that name.
Daniel Bennett was the founder and majority owner of Bennett Holdings, an investment group whose influence extended into real estate, technology, hospitality, and private equity. His company had recently announced plans to acquire a controlling interest in several major hospitality businesses.
One of those businesses had a complicated financial relationship with Whitmore International.
Alexander had spent months trying to secure Daniel's approval for a lucrative partnership.
And now he had just shoved him onto the floor in front of half the city's business community.
But Daniel's attention had already returned to Emily.
"Please arrange for someone to check whether she's injured," he told the event coordinator. "And make sure the broken glass is cleaned up before anyone else gets hurt."
The coordinator nodded immediately.
Alexander stared at Daniel.
"You should have identified yourself."
Daniel looked at him in disbelief.
"Would that have made your behavior acceptable?"
Alexander said nothing.
Daniel continued.