Mark pushed open the heavy oak door to his mother's study.
Evelyn was standing near the second-floor balcony railing overlooking the foyer.
She turned around quickly, her dark eyes flashing with sharp anger.
Evelyn: You should teach your child some manners, Mark.
Mark: Why did you have Sarah's personal locket in your safe?
Evelyn: That item was purchased with Vance family money years ago.
Mark: I bought that locket with my own paycheck for Sarah!
Evelyn: Everything in this house belongs to the family estate trust!
Mark stepped closer to his mother, his jaw tightly clenched.
He saw the brown paper folder sitting on the small glass table.
Mark: What papers were you hiding from me earlier today, Evelyn?
Evelyn: That is none of your business, my dear son.
Mark: I am a legal heir to father's inheritance trust!
Evelyn: You gave up your rights when you married that poor girl!
Mark reached out his hand toward the brown paper folder on table.
Evelyn grabbed the folder quickly and backed up toward the railing.
Evelyn: Do not touch these legal documents, Mark!
Mark: Show me what you are hiding from my daughter and me!
Evelyn raised her voice, her face turning bright red with anger.
Evelyn: She gets nothing! Neither of you deserve a single penny!
Suddenly, young Lily ran out of her room down the hall.
She had heard the loud shouting and wanted to find her father.
Lily: Daddy! Stop fighting, please!
Evelyn: Get away from here, you little nuisance!
Evelyn made a sharp, aggressive movement toward the small girl.
Lily gasped and stumbled backward near the top staircase step.
Mark sprinted forward across the slick marble floor with full speed.
Mark: Lily! Watch out!
Mark slid across the smooth floor and caught Lily in his arms.
He pulled her tightly against his chest before she could slip.
They rested safely on the floor near the decorative stone wall.
Lily wept loudly, clutching her father's leather jacket in fear.
Mark looked down at his crying child with deep emotional panic.
Mark: Open your eyes! Look at me! Are you okay, baby?
Lily: She tried to throw my things down and shouted at me!
Mark held his daughter firmly and stood up from the floor.
His eyes burned with absolute fury as he glared at Evelyn.
Mark: You are going to pay for what you did to my daughter!