Victoria rushed down the last few marble steps past the American flag, her heels clicking rapidly against the stone as her green dress fluttered around her legs.
Victoria: "Julian! Oh my God, Julian! Is she okay?!"
Julian: "Stay back, Victoria!"
Victoria: "I was trying to grab her dress! She was leaning over the railing and slipped right out of my hands!"
Julian stayed on his knees, his hands trembling as he checked Lily's arms and legs for any injuries.
Lily: "Daddy... she pushed me on purpose!"
Julian: "What did you say, baby?"
Lily: "She pushed me... she said I don't belong here!"
Victoria: "She's traumatized, Julian! She's three years old and confused! I would never hurt our little girl!"
Julian stood up abruptly, his expression transforming into intense, unbridled rage as he looked directly into Victoria's eyes under the American flag.
Julian: "How could you do this to my daughter?!"
Victoria: "Julian, please! You have to believe me! It was a complete accident!"
Julian: "I saw you! I was standing near the doorway when you put your hands on her back and shoved her!"
Victoria: "No! You're misinterpreting what you saw! I was reaching out to save her!"
Julian: "Do not lie to me!"
Driven by explosive rage, Julian confronted Victoria in front of the flag and slapped her face hard three times in rapid succession, knocking her sideways onto the marble floor.
Victoria: "Ah! Stop! Please!"
Victoria lay on the stone floor near the American flag, clutching her bruised cheek in sheer shock and agony as tears ruined her makeup.
Victoria: "It was a mistake! Please, Julian, don't do this!"
Julian: "Get out of my house this instant, you monster!"
Victoria: "Julian, listen to me! I am your wife! You can't just throw me out into the street!"
Julian: "You stopped being my wife the second you tried to murder my child!"
Victoria: "I gave up my life in Chicago for you! I moved into this mansion to build a family with you!"
Julian: "You moved into this mansion for my estate, my money, and my status!"
Victoria pushed herself up from the floor, her silk gown covered in dust, her hair falling out of its neat style.
Victoria: "You hit me in front of the staff! I will call the police on you for domestic abuse!"
Julian: "Call them! Please, call them right now! I want them here so I can hand them the video!"
Victoria froze on her knees, her eyes wide with terror as she looked up at Julian.
Victoria: "What... what video?"
Julian: "Our home security system. The entire upper balcony is recorded in full 4K definition."
Victoria: "You... you said the cameras were turned off for maintenance!"
Julian: "I lied. I knew you were up to something, Victoria. And now I have proof of your crime."