The sudden heavy thud of Marcus's leather boots echoed off the marble floor.
Victoria turned around instantly, dropping her wine glass onto the counter.
Her face drained of all color as she recognized her husband standing there.
The male guest sitting at the island scrambled to his feet in panic.
Victoria: Marcus! What are you doing home so early?
Marcus: Shut your mouth right now, Victoria!
Marcus stormed forward, his massive frame radiating pure authority and anger.
The male guest tried to step between Marcus and Victoria to explain.
Marcus firmly grabbed the guest by his collar and pushed him firmly back.
Marcus: Get out of my house before I have you arrested!
Guest: I was just visiting, I had no idea what she was doing!
The guest quickly grabbed his coat and fled through the back doors.
Marcus turned his fierce gaze back toward Victoria, who trembled in place.
Victoria backed away until her spine hit the edge of the kitchen counter.
Victoria: Marcus, please, it is not what it looks like at all!
Victoria: She spilled soup on purpose, so I was teaching her responsibility!
Marcus: Teaching a three-year-old child by forcing her to wash dishes alone?
Victoria: I was only trying to raise her to be disciplined!
Marcus: You turned off the cameras so you could cruelty hide from me!
Marcus's loud voice boomed through the high ceilings of the luxury kitchen.
Victoria swallowed hard, her arrogant demeanor completely falling apart into fear.
Marcus walked straight past her toward the sink where Lily was crying.
He immediately turned off the rushing cold tap water with his strong hand.
He wrapped a warm dry towel gently around his shivering toddler's hands.
Marcus: Childhood is not a punishment, Lily.
Marcus: No one will ever hurt or scare you in this house again.
He scooped Lily up into his arms and held her tight.