The butler immediately dropped his silver serving tray onto the table with a loud clatter.
Two kitchen staff members stepped into the doorway and gasped at the smoking floor tiles.
Arthur reached down and lifted Lily into his arms, holding her close to his chest.
His eyes burned with intense anger as he turned his full gaze toward Victoria.
Arthur: You tried to harm me in my own home right in front of my daughter!
Victoria: Arthur, please listen to me! I would never do such a horrible thing!
Arthur: Look at the floor, Victoria! That liquid dissolved solid stone in seconds!
Victoria: The supplier must have sent contaminated ingredients! It was an absolute accident!
Lily: I saw her put powder from a glass vial into the cup, Daddy!
Lily: She told the kitchen staff she would hand-deliver the tray to you herself!
Victoria backed away toward the tall French doors that opened out to the driveway.
Her high heels clicked rapidly against the clear section of the stone floor.
Arthur set Lily safely behind a heavy wooden armchair near the back corner.
He took three fast steps forward, blocking the main exit from the dining room.
Arthur: You are not stepping one foot outside of this house until authorities arrive.
Victoria: You cannot keep me trapped in this room based on a child's story!
Arthur: The proof is bubbling right there on the floor for everyone to see!
Arthur pulled his mobile phone from his jacket pocket and quickly dialed emergency services.
Victoria grabbed a heavy crystal vase off a side table in complete desperation.
She raised it up high as if she intended to force her way out.
Arthur: Put that down right now, or the consequences will be far worse!
The lead house guard rushed through the front entrance after hearing the shouting inside.