Mark shoved his way into the scene and stood directly in front of his daughter.
He gave Victoria a firm push back, sending her staggering onto the velvet sofa.
Mark: Stay away from her!
Victoria: Mark, you don't understand what she just did!
Mark: I don't care what you think happened!
Mark dropped to his knees on the marble floor and pulled Lily into his arms.
Lily squeezed her father tightly, burying her wet face into his suit jacket.
Lily: Daddy, I didn't break it, I promise!
Mark: Shh, it's okay baby, I've got you now.
Mark stroked her soft hair while keeping his glare locked strictly on Victoria.
Victoria adjusted her golden dress, her face red with sudden panic and frustration.
Three house staff members stood near the formal dining room archway in complete shock.
None of them had ever seen Mark look this furious in all his years here.
Victoria: She went into my private closet without permission, Mark!
Victoria: She was snooping around my costly diamond rings and inheritance papers!
Lily: That's not true, Daddy!
Lily: I only wanted the photo album of Mom that was on the shelf!
Mark felt a cold chill run down his spine as he listened to Victoria's voice.
He had trusted Victoria in his home and given her total access to his life.
He had even bought her a massive diamond engagement ring just two weeks ago.
Now he looked at her and felt like he was staring at a complete stranger.
Mark: You yelled at an eight-year-old over a picture album?
Victoria: She lied to me, Mark, and she broke the lock on the chest!
Mark looked down at the wooden keepsake chest lying open on the floor.
He noticed that the small lock was intact, but Victoria held a brass key.
He realized that Victoria was framing his young daughter to cover something up.