Mark returned to the main hall after noticing the missing file on his upstairs desk.
He spotted Victoria leaning awkwardly beneath the large banquet table in the corner.
He heard his son's muffled cries echoing across the quiet marble room.
Mark rushed across the polished floor with long strides and a dark expression.
He shoved Victoria aside forcefully before she could pull the young boy out into the open.
Victoria stumbled backward into a floral stand with a sharp intake of breath.
Mark instantly dropped down to his knees on the cold marble floor.
He pulled Leo into a tight, protective embrace while checking his head and arms.
The surrounding guests gasped softly as the sudden commotion disturbed the entire gathering.
Leo held his father's navy suit lapels tightly while tears ran down his pale cheeks.
Leo: Dad! She broke it after I heard everything!
Mark: What did she do to you, Leo? Tell me right now.
Leo: She took my ear machine and squished it because I heard her secret!
Mark looked down at the crushed plastic pieces scattered across the white marble floor.
His eyes burned with intense anger as he turned toward Victoria.
Victoria tried to regain her composure while adjusting her black dress near the maid.
Victoria: The boy is making up stories because he dropped his own device, Mark!
Mark: My son does not lie about these things, Victoria!
Victoria: He is confused and misinterpreting grown-up conversations he cannot understand!
Victoria grabbed the house maid by her shoulders in a desperate attempt to gain an ally.
Victoria: Tell my brother-in-law that Leo was running around unsupervised all afternoon!
Maid: I... I saw ma'am take something from his ear, sir.
Victoria turned pale as the maid stepped away from her grasping hands quickly.
The tension in the room grew heavy as guests stepped closer to watch the argument unfold.
Mark stood up slowly to his full height while keeping Leo safely behind his legs.
Mark: You touched my son and destroyed his medical equipment in my own house.
Victoria: You are letting a small child destroy this family's reputation over nothing!
Mark walked toward Victoria with cold determination in his eyes.
Mark: You have been lying to me about the family trust fund for months, haven't you?
Victoria: That is absolute nonsense and you have zero proof of any financial wrongdoings!
Mark: My son's hearing aid was connected to the internal house security system for clarity tests.
Victoria froze as the realization hit her like a heavy physical blow.
The entire room fell into a dead silence as everyone waited for Mark's next words.