Arthur had heard the loud echo of the baby's fall from his upstairs study room.
He charged down the wide hallway with rapid, heavy footsteps on the marble floor.
Maria pointed her shaking hand at Victoria while holding the weeping child close to her.
Maria: Sir! She tried to harm your baby! She threw him down!
Victoria: Arthur, darling! That clumsy maid dropped poor little Leo on purpose!
Arthur looked from the crying baby on the floor straight to Victoria's calm face.
He saw the cold smile still fading from her lips under the bright sunlight.
A wave of massive paternal rage instantly consumed Arthur's entire mind and body.
He strode forward across the ballroom with powerful, heavy strides toward the woman.
Victoria stepped back in sudden fear as she saw the raw fury in his eyes.
Victoria: Arthur, please wait! Let me explain what really happened here!
Arthur: DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH MY SON!
Arthur raised his heavy open hand and delivered a powerful slap across her face.
The sharp crack sound echoed loudly off the hard marble walls of the room.
Victoria shrieked in shock as her head snapped back from the sudden impact force.
Before she could recover her balance, Arthur struck her face hard a second time.
Arthur: YOU DISGUSTING MONSTER!
The third open-hand blow sent Victoria crashing violently down onto the cold marble floor.
Her silk green gown crumpled around her as she clutched her red burning cheek.
Tears of shame and panic instantly welled up in Victoria's cold dark eyes.
Arthur: GET THIS MONSTER OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW!
Victoria cowered on the floor as Arthur stepped right over her trembling body.
He dropped directly to his knees right beside the crying maid and his baby.