Victoria turned around quickly, her eyes widening in total shock at the sudden noise.
She instantly changed her angry expression into a soft, nervous smile for her husband.
Leo looked up from the wet floor, his eyes filled with fresh glistening tears.
Leo: Daddy...
Victoria rushed forward immediately, holding up her brass car keys with fake dramatic concern.
Victoria: Mark, sweetie! Thank goodness you came back home early today!
Mark: What is going on in this garage, Victoria?
Victoria: Leo was playing roughly and scratched the side fender of my luxury sedan!
Victoria: I was simply teaching him accountability so he learns proper discipline!
Mark walked forward with slow, heavy steps, his face dark with quiet anger.
He walked straight past his wife and knelt down beside his young son on the floor.
Mark wrapped his suit jacket around Leo's cold, wet shoulders with gentle care.
Mark: Are you okay, son? Tell me the truth right now.
Leo: I did not scratch anything, Dad. She made me clean all morning without breakfast.
Victoria gasped dramatically and threw her hands up into the air with defensive shock.
Victoria: He is lying to you, Mark! You know how imaginative children can be!
Mark stood up to his full height, turning to face his wife directly in the light.
His stern gaze cut through her fake tears like a cold winter blade.
Mark: I stood outside that door for three full minutes before opening it.
Victoria's face turned completely pale as the room fell into absolute total silence.
Mark: I heard every single word of verbal abuse you hurled at my son.
Victoria: Mark, please let me explain! I was just stressed about household management!
Mark: Hand over those car keys to my security officer right now.
Victoria hesitated, clutching the metal keyring tightly inside her trembling right hand.
Victoria: Why should I? You bought this expensive car specifically for my birthday!
Mark: Now it is not your car anymore.