The vast foyer was filled with bright natural light coming from high windows.
Toby was sitting on the cold marble floor near the base of the wall.
Red paint from an overturned art canvas was smeared across his pale face.
His shoulders were shaking as he gripped his knees tight against his chest.
Evelyn was kneeling directly in front of him with a harsh look on her face.
Her hand was gripping the boy's shoulder firmly to hold him in place.
Mark felt a wave of shock transform instantly into intense protective anger.
He moved across the room before either of them noticed his presence.
His heavy shoes clattered sharply against the white polished floor tiles.
Evelyn turned her head quickly and gasped when she saw him standing there.
She instantly let go of the boy's shoulder and scrambled to her feet.
Mark: What are you doing to him?!
Evelyn: It is not what it looks like!
Mark: Back away from my son right now!
Mark stepped between Evelyn and the frightened child without hesitation.
He knelt down on the cold floor and pulled Toby into his arms.
The boy buried his face against his father's coat and sobbed quietly.
Mark wiped the red paint from the boy's cheek with his handkerchief.
Evelyn raised her hands and took two careful steps backward toward the stairs.
Evelyn: He ruined the expensive oil painting in the library!
Evelyn: I was just trying to teach him a serious lesson!
Mark: You do not treat him like this ever!
Mark looked at the spilled red paint dripping across the white marble floor.
He realized the situation involved far more than a simple household accident.
Toby clung to his jacket with trembling fingers, terrified to let go.
Mark stood up while keeping one protective arm around the small boy.
His eyes remained fixed on Evelyn with absolute disappointment and growing fury.