Mark pressed the phone tightly to his ear, his eyes never leaving his mother's pale face.
The phone rang once, and the operator's calm voice answered the emergency call instantly on line.
"911, what is your emergency?" the operator asked through the phone speaker clear and sharp.
"Send the police immediately to Sterling Manor on Oakridge Lane!" Mark demanded in a fierce tone.
"Sir, what is happening at that location?" the operator inquired as sirens were immediately dispatched.
"My mother just physically attacked and endangered my five-year-old son on the second-floor balcony!" Mark said.
Evelyn gasped loudly, her hand rushing to cover her mouth in utter horror and mounting panic.
"Mark, no! Do not bring the police into this mansion! Think of our family name!" she shrieked.
"The police are on their way, sir. Stay in a safe place," the operator confirmed before disconnecting.
Mark lowered his phone and held Leo closer, gently brushing a warm tear away from the boy's cheek.
"You're safe now, buddy. No one will ever touch you or scare you again in this house."
Leo nodded softly against Mark's neck, his fast breathing slowly beginning to steady down to normal.
Evelyn rushed down the balcony stairs toward her son, her hands trembling uncontrollably in extreme panic.
"Mark, please! If the press finds out about this, my entire life and reputation will be ruined!"
"You should have thought about that before you put your hands on my child!" Mark barked back.
"Stay back! Don't come one step closer to him!" Mark shouted, pointing a warning finger at her.
Evelyn stopped on the bottom step, looking around the massive empty foyer like a trapped animal.
Within three minutes, bright red and blue police lights began flashing through the front glass doors.
The loud, wailing sound of police sirens filled the quiet neighborhood outside the grand estate grounds.
Heavy footsteps rushed up the front stone porch, and the double front doors swung wide open.
Two uniform police officers entered the grand foyer, their boots clicking loudly against the polished oak.
"Police! Is everyone okay here?" the lead officer called out, scanning the large open foyer space.
Mark walked down the remaining stairs with Leo, pointing directly at Evelyn standing near the banister.
"Officer, that woman just assaulted my son and threatened his life over a legal estate dispute."