Mark lifted his sweet mother gently away from the dirty puddle of water.
Her legs were trembling so badly that she could hardly stand up alone.
He wrapped his warm coat around her cold, shivering shoulders.
He held her close to his chest while staring back at Victoria.
Mark: How long has this been happening in my house?
Victoria stepped back toward the tall grand staircase with quick steps.
She raised her hands in the air to defend her cruel actions.
Victoria: I was just trying to keep this house clean and tidy!
Victoria: She refused to hire a professional house maid last week!
Martha: She fired my personal assistant the day after you left for New York!
Mark felt a heavy knot form right inside his empty stomach.
He had left strict instructions and plenty of cash for household care.
He had left twenty thousand dollars in the main bank account for expenses.
He looked closely at his mother's frail, tired face and dark eyes.
Her face looked thinner than it had just two short weeks ago.
Mark: Mom, have you been eating properly while I was away?
Martha looked down at the wet floor and wiped her wet eyes.
Martha: She locked the pantry kitchen doors every night at six o'clock.
Martha: She told me I was taking up too much expensive food.
Victoria gasped loudly and pointed a sharp finger at Martha.
Victoria: She is lying to you because she hates me, Mark!
Victoria: She wants to ruin our marriage because she is jealous!
Mark: Shut your mouth right now, Victoria!
Mark took a step toward Victoria with pure fury in his eyes.
Victoria flinched backward and nearly tripped on her tight red dress.
Victoria: You cannot speak to your wedded wife like that!
Mark: I can speak to you however I want after seeing this crime!
He walked his frail mother over to the living room couch gently.
He helped her sit down on the soft blue velvet cushion smoothly.
He poured her a warm glass of water from the glass pitcher nearby.
Mark: Rest right here, Mom, while I settle this matter now.
Martha grabbed Mark's sleeve tightly with her red, swollen fingers.
Martha: Please do not leave me alone with her ever again.
Mark: You will never be alone with this woman again, I promise.
Mark turned back toward Victoria with his hands clenched into fists.
Victoria was trying to wipe the dirty water off her red dress.
Mark: We are going upstairs to talk in private right now.