Victoria took a quick step back, her expensive red silk dress rustling against the floor.
She tried to quickly smooth her blonde hair and fix her fake composure.
Victoria: Darling, please calm down and let me explain what happened!
Richard: Do not tell me to calm down after what I just saw!
Victoria: She was being incredibly disobedient and hiding things from me!
Lily: I was not disobedient! She cornered me and demanded my necklace!
Richard felt a surge of deep rage rising rapidly inside his broad chest.
He stepped closer to Victoria, forcing her back against the white pillar.
Richard: You put your hands on my child in my own house!
Victoria: I was only trying to teach her proper respect, Richard!
Richard: You do not teach respect by intimidating a defenseless seven-year-old girl!
Victoria's nervous expression suddenly hardened into a cold, defiant stare.
She realized that her sweet act was no longer working on her wealthy fiancé.
Victoria: She needs discipline, and you spoil her far too much every day!
Richard: My parenting is none of your concern if this is how you act!
Victoria: I am going to be her stepmother, so it is my concern!
Richard: You will never be anything to this family after what happened today!
Victoria let out a sharp, bitter laugh that rang through the high ceilings.
Victoria: You cannot just break off our engagement over a small misunderstanding!
Richard: This is not a simple misunderstanding, and you know it very well!
Lily held onto her father's dark suit pant leg, looking up with tears.
Her small hand brushed against the bruised skin where Victoria had grabbed her.
Richard looked down at his daughter's red wrist, feeling a painful knot in his heart.
He felt immense guilt for not noticing Victoria's true nature much earlier.
Richard: Show me your arm, Lily.
Lily: It hurts right here where she squeezed it tight.
Richard's eyes narrowed as he inspected the visible mark on Lily's tender wrist.
He stood upright again, pointing a firm finger directly at Victoria's face.
Richard: If you ever touch my daughter again, you will regret it forever!
Victoria: You are making a huge mistake, Richard!
Richard: The only mistake I made was letting a monster into our home!
Victoria sneered, dropping all remaining pretenses of sweetness or caring affection.
Victoria: You think you can just throw me out like trash?
Richard: I am ordering you to leave my property this very minute!
Victoria: I am not going anywhere until we discuss my financial settlement!
Richard pulled out his mobile phone with a smooth, decisive motion.
Richard: Leave now, or security will drag you off the estate!