Mark's face hardened instantly as deep fury washed over his eyes in one sudden violent wave.
He looked between the terrified maid holding his crying daughter and his pale trembling wife above.
Mark marched up the first few marble steps, his heavy shoe soles ringing against the cold stone.
Victoria stepped back in panic, trying to raise her voice to spin her calculated fake story.
Mark reached her in two quick strides and gripped her arm with intense furious emotional force.
In a sharp sudden motion of pure rage, he slapped Victoria directly across her flushed cheek.
The sharp sound echoed loudly off the high pristine white walls of the grand Texas mansion foyer.
Victoria stumbled back against the wooden banister, clutching her bright red cheek in total disbelief.
HOW DARE YOU, Victoria shrieked, her voice cracking as tears spilled over her heavy decorative makeup.
Mark pointed his shaking finger directly at her face, his entire muscular body trembling with rage.
GET OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW, Mark shouted at the top of his loud booming voice.
CALL NINE ONE ONE, Mark yelled toward the kitchen area where other house staff gathered silently.
Victoria stared at her husband, realizing her careful cruel plan had backfired into absolute social disaster.
She backed away up the stairs, screaming curses while holding her throbbing face in sharp pain.
Mark turned around immediately and knelt beside Elena on the cold white marble floor surface below.
He gently took crying little Clara into his own strong arms, lifting the child up carefully.
Are you alright, Mark asked Elena with a voice that softened from anger into genuine concern.
Elena nodded slowly, wiping her tear-stained cheeks with the corner of her clean white cotton apron.
She tried to stand up, but her knees buckled slightly from the painful impact of the slide.
Mark helped Elena stand up, guiding her toward a comfortable soft leather sofa nearby softly.
The household chef ran into the room with a glass of cold water for the shaken maid.
Mark held Clara close to his chest, kissing the top of her tiny soft brown head repeatedly.