Leo rushed toward his father as fast as his small legs could carry him across the room.
"Daddy! Don't drink that, Mommy put something in it!" Leo shouted out loudly.
Mark looked up from his tablet screen with an instant look of utter confusion.
Victoria’s face turned bright red with intense panic as she blocked the boy’s path.
She dropped her calm act instantly to protect her dangerous secret from being revealed.
She reached out and roughly shoved the young boy back away from the table.
"Shut your mouth, you little liar!" Victoria screamed in a high harsh voice.
Leo stumbled backward against the wooden chair and gasped out in sudden shock.
The loud commotion echoed off the hard white marble walls of the sunlit room.
Mark stood up instantly from his heavy leather chair at the head of the table.
The loud scrape of his heavy wooden chair cut sharply through the tense room.
Mark stepped quickly around the table and placed himself directly between Victoria and his young son.
He pulled the crying boy into his protective arms and held him tight against his chest.
Mark’s eyes were filled with furious shock as he stared down at his new wife.
"Did you just put your hands on my son in my own home?" Mark demanded firmly.
Victoria stepped back toward the window as her face quickly turned ghost white with terror.
"Mark, please listen to me, he is making up wild stories!" Victoria stuttered quickly.
"He dropped his toys and threw a sudden temper tantrum out of nowhere!" she added.
"I did not touch him and I certainly did not put anything inside that juice pitcher!"
Leo buried his tear-stained face into the soft fabric of his father’s dark shirt.
"I saw her, Daddy, she poured a small bottle inside!" Leo sobbed softly.
Mark felt a cold wave of realization wash over his entire body as he listened closely.
He had noticed small red flags regarding Victoria’s spending habits for several weeks now.
She had recently asked detailed questions about his life insurance policy and his master will.
She was desperate to gain control over his real estate holdings and his family trust fund.
Mark glared at Victoria with intense anger that he had never shown her before.
"My son does not lie to me, Victoria," Mark said in a low dangerous voice.
Victoria tried to regain her calm composure while smoothing out her bright white dress.
"You are choosing to believe a foolish seven-year-old child over your own wife?" she snapped.
"If you do not believe me, then test the juice yourself!" Leo cried out bravely.
Mark glanced over at the thick crystal pitcher sitting on the white marble counter.
The dark red liquid sparkled under the bright natural daylight streaming through the room.
Mark knew in his heart that his young son was telling the absolute truth.
He felt a deep sense of anger and betrayal take over his thoughts completely.
He set his son down gently behind his back to keep him safe from harm.
Then he turned around slowly to face his treacherous wife once again.