Evelyn was standing right at the edge of the second-floor balcony, holding the screaming boy by his clothes.
Leo was dangling unsteadily near the top of the white balcony railing, crying hysterically for his father.
"Evelyn, stop! What are you doing!" Mark roared, his voice shaking with pure panic and instinct.
"He is destroying our family name!" Evelyn screamed down, her face twisted in a mask of rage.
In her unhinged emotional panic, Evelyn pulled the boy closer to the railing to force Mark's agreement.
She threatened to ruin everything Mark had built if he did not sign away the entire trust fund.
"If you don't sign the trust back over to the estate right now, he leaves this house forever!"
Leo wriggled violently in panic, slipping on the smooth carpeted edge of the balcony step during the struggle.
Evelyn lost her balance for a fraction of a second as the boy pulled away from her grip.
Leo fell backward over the wooden step, tumbling dangerously down the short flight of upper balcony stairs.
He hit the hard landing with a heavy thud, gasping for air as he sobbed uncontrollably in fear.
Evelyn gasped in shock, suddenly realizing how far her reckless anger had carried her in that moment.
Mark didn't hesitate for a single second as he charged up the grand staircase like a madman.
He reached the landing in seconds, taking three steps at a time to reach his trembling son.
Mark threw himself onto his knees on the hardwood floor, scooping Leo into his strong arms instantly.
He held the small boy tightly against his chest, wrapping his arms fully around him to shield him.
"I'm here, Leo! I've got you! You're safe!" Mark breathed heavily, his own tears spilling down his cheeks.
Leo buried his tear-stained face into his father's suit jacket, shaking uncontrollably from the terrifying ordeal.
Mark looked up from the floor, his eyes locking onto his mother with a fiery, dangerous intensity.
Evelyn backed away slowly against the wall, her hands trembling as horror finally settled over her face.
"Are you okay, son? Talk to me!" Mark asked urgently, checking Leo's arms and legs for injuries.
"Daddy, she pulled me! She scared me so bad!" Leo sobbed, holding onto his father's collar desperately.
Mark stood up while holding Leo firmly with one arm, pulling his smartphone from his coat pocket.
"You monster," Mark said in a low, cold voice that sent a chill through the wide hallway.
Evelyn tried to step forward, reaching her hands out in a desperate attempt to explain her actions.
"Mark, please! It was an accident! I lost my temper, I didn't mean to hurt him!"
Mark ignored her completely as he dialed three numbers on his phone screen with a steady thumb.