Mark stepped forward and stood directly between Victoria and his crying wife on the floor.
His tall frame shadowed the entire entrance hall as his breathing grew deep and heavy.
Mark: How dare you treat Sarah like a dog in my own home?
Victoria: She is just a paid servant who works for this family estate!
Mark: She is not a servant, you greedy snake!
Victoria: Do not use that disrespectful tone with me inside this legal residence!
Mark: Sarah is my legally wedded wife and the mother of my child!
Victoria gasped sharply as if someone had suddenly thrown cold water in her face.
Her eyes widened with total shock and genuine horror as she absorbed his powerful words.
Victoria: You secretly married this low-class girl behind my back?
Mark: Yes, we got married four months ago at the county courthouse!
Sarah: Mark, please remain calm for the baby's sake.
Mark: I will not stay calm while this woman abuses my family!
Mark reached down with great gentleness and lifted Sarah up off the cold marble floor.
He wrapped his strong left arm around her waist and held her close to his body.
Sarah rested her tired head against his chest and let out a long trembling sigh.
Mark pointed his right index finger straight toward Victoria's pale face with absolute determination.
Mark: You knew she was carrying my child, yet you forced her onto her knees!
Victoria: She lied to me about her condition to shirk her basic household duties!
Mark: The security video recorded every single hateful word you said to her today!
Victoria: That camera footage belongs to the family estate company, not to you!
Mark: I own sixty percent of the company shares under my late father's final will!
Victoria took a quick step back as her confidence began to shatter into small pieces.
She realized for the first time that her comfortable power in the house was fading away.