Mark: What the hell is going on in here?!
Serena: Mark! Thank... Thank God you came! She went crazy and attacked me!
Mark: What are you doing with that lighter?!
Serena: She tried to burn down the curtains! Look at her! She's out of control!
Chloe: Daddy! She burned me! She held the fire on my arm!
Serena: She's lying, Mark! She's making up stories because she hates that we're getting married!
Mark rushed across the polished marble floor, his sharp black double-breasted suit tight against his chest as his heart pounded with fury. His eyes dropped from Serena’s panicked expression to his daughter’s small body trembling against the glass. The distinct smell of burnt cloth and scorched skin hung heavy in the air.
Mark: Let go of her wrist, Serena.
Serena: Mark, you have to believe me! I was trying to take it away from her!
Mark: I said let go of her right now!
Serena: She's hysterical, Mark! She bit my hand and tried to run!
Chloe: I didn't! Daddy, I was just looking for my coloring book!
Serena: Don't listen to this brat! She's trying to ruin our family estate plan!
Mark: I heard her screaming from the bottom of the staircase, Serena.
Serena: She... she fell! She scraped her arm on the vanity!
Mark: Do you think I'm blind?! That is a burn mark!
Serena: It was an accident! I dropped the lighter when she lunged at me!
Mark’s jaw tightened until the muscles flexed visibly along his cheeks. He reached out with lightning speed and grabbed Serena’s arm, his fingers digging firmly into the gold satin fabric of her sleeve. Serena gasped, her wide eyes filling with sudden panic as she realized her lies were failing.
Serena: Mark, you're hurting me! Release my arm!
Mark: You laid a hand on my daughter in my own house!
Serena: I am your fiancée! I am going to be the mistress of this estate!
Mark: You are a monster!
Serena: Mark, wait! Think about the merger! Think about your company reputation!
Mark: To hell with the merger!
With an explosive burst of absolute rage, Mark shoved Serena backward with all his strength. She stumbled across the wet tiles, her slippers slipping out from under her. With a dramatic shriek, she tumbled headfirst over the high porcelain edge of the freestanding golden bathtub, crashing into the deep, soapy water. Bubbles and warm water splashed violently over the rim, soaking the framed American flag on the wall and drenching the bath mats.
Serena: BLUB! GLUB! Help! I can't breathe!
Mark: Stay in there where you belong.
Serena: You crazy fool! My silk robe is ruined! My hair!
Mark: You're lucky I don't hold you under!
Serena: I'll sue you! I'll take every single dollar from your family trust!
Mark: You won't get a dime. You're leaving this house in handcuffs.
Serena splashed around frantically, her dark hair plastered to her face as foam covered her gold robe. She tried to climb out, but the slippery porcelain sides kept sending her sliding back into the soapy water. Mark turned his back on her completely, striding over to where Chloe stood sobbing.