Richard: WHAT IS GOING ON IN MY HOUSE?!
Maria: Mr. Sterling! Oh God, Mr. Sterling, thank heaven you're home!
Lily: Daddy! Daddy, save me from her!
Veronica: Richard! Wait! It's not what it looks like!
Richard charged across the pristine white marble floor, his heavy leather dress shoes echoing like thunder against the walls. His jaw was clenched so tightly his teeth ground together, his eyes locked onto his terrified daughter trembling in the nanny's arms. He dropped to his knees on the stone, gathering Lily into his arms and pulling her close against his chest.
Richard: Shh, baby, I've got you. Daddy's here. You're safe now, sweetheart.
Lily: She pushed me, Daddy! She held me over the golden fence and let me go!
Maria: It's true, sir! I had to catch her on the floor! She tried to drop her from the second story!
Veronica: That maid is lying, Richard! Lily was playing near the railing and slipped! I was trying to pull her back up!
Maria: You screamed that she was going to fall, Miss Veronica! I heard you with my own ears!
Veronica: Shut up, you worthless servant! You're making up stories to protect your job!
Richard stood up slowly, his daughter still held securely in his left arm. His eyes narrowed as he looked up at the second-floor balcony, his entire body shaking with pure wrath. He turned toward the grand staircase and began marching up the marble steps, his long strides carrying him toward the upper landing.
Richard: Stay down here with Maria, Lily. Don't look up.
Lily: Daddy, don't let her hurt you!
Richard: She will never hurt anyone in this house ever again.
Veronica stumbled backward against the golden railing as Richard reached the top of the stairs, his dark suit shadow looming over her. He grabbed her aggressively by her satin-draped shoulders, his eyes blazing with absolute fury.
Richard: You are completely out of your mind! Leave this house immediately!
Veronica: Richard, let go of me! You're hurting my arms!
Richard: You just dropped my five-year-old daughter over a twenty-foot balcony, and you're complaining about your arms?!
Veronica: It was an accident! I lost my grip because her dress was slippery!
Richard: Do you think I'm stupid, Veronica?! I watched you open your hands from the front entrance!
Veronica's breath caught in her throat as she realized her lie was completely useless. Her posture shifted, her face hardening into a cold, desperate glare.
Veronica: So what if I did?! She's a spoiled brat who occupies all your time! You treat her like a princess while I get whatever leftover attention you have!
Richard: She is my daughter! My dead wife's child! She is the most important person in my life!
Veronica: And what about me?! I am your wife! I deserve half of this estate, not some child who belongs to a ghost!
Richard: You don't deserve a single square inch of this home. Get your things and get out before I lose control.