Julian: "What is going on in my home?!"
Julian dropped to his knees right beside Sarah on the bright marble floor, his arms reaching out instinctively. Sarah carefully handed little Leo over to his father, her body shaking as fresh tears overflowed her eyes.
Victoria: "Julian! Thank goodness you're back early! This crazy maid just tackled me and tried to steal Leo!"
Julian: "Shut your mouth, Victoria!"
Julian pulled the whimpering boy close to his chest, his protective hand cradling the back of his son's head. He looked down at Sarah's pale, trembling face, his eyes catching the dark purple bruise blooming around her left eye.
Julian: "Sarah... look at me. What happened to your eye? Who did this to you?"
Sarah: "She... she hurts the child every time you leave!"
Victoria: "She's lying, Julian! She tripped down the kitchen stairs this morning and now she's trying to frame me to cover up her incompetence!"
Sarah: "I didn't trip! She hit me three hours ago when I refused to lock Leo in his room! And just now, she dragged him across the floor because he dropped his cup!"
Julian: "Is this true, Victoria?"
Julian stood up slowly, holding his little boy tightly against his suit jacket. His teeth were bared in an explosion of absolute, uncontrollable rage as he glared down at his wife under the bright lights of the foyer.
Victoria: "Julian, darling, you know how emotional servants get! She's making up a ridiculous story because she knows I was going to fire her today!"
Julian: "You touch my child... you lay a hand on the people in my house?!"
Without another word, Julian stepped forward and delivered a powerful, furious slap straight across Victoria's face. The sharp impact cracked through the high-ceilinged room, sending Victoria stumbling backward against one of the grand columns.
Victoria: "AH! Julian! You slapped me?!"
Julian: "How dare you touch my child! How dare you hurt my son in his own home!"
Victoria: "You hit your own wife for a maid?! Are you insane?!"
Julian: "You are no wife of mine. Security!"
The two guards standing at attention near the grand doors immediately stepped forward, their heavy boots thudding against the marble floor as they moved into position.
Security Guard: "Yes, Mr. Sterling?"
Julian: "Restrain this woman and take her into the study. Call the police and my private legal counsel right now!"
Victoria: "Get your hands off me! Julian, you can't do this! My father owns half the shares in your logistics company!"
Julian: "I don't care if your father owns the entire city of Dallas, Victoria! You are going to prison for child abuse and assault!"
The guards grabbed Victoria's arms, pulling her forcefully toward the side office while she kicked and screamed in her royal blue gown, her voice echoing off the high marble walls.
Victoria: "You'll pay for this, Julian! You'll lose everything! You hear me?! Everything!"
Julian ignored her screeches, turning back toward Sarah, who was still kneeling on the cold floor, holding her cheek where Victoria had struck her. He extended a hand down to her, his voice softening with deep, genuine concern.
Julian: "Sarah... please stand up. You don't ever have to kneel in this house again."
Sarah: "I'm so sorry, Mr. Sterling... I tried to protect him every day you were at the office, but she kept threatening to ruin me if I spoke up."
Julian: "You saved my son, Sarah. You took a blow for my child. You have nothing to apologize for."
Julian helped Sarah to her feet, his dark eyes taking in the full extent of her injuries and her ragged breathing. He looked toward the head housekeeper, who had rushed into the foyer after hearing the commotion.
Julian: "Mrs. Gable, take Leo to the nursery and get an ice pack for Sarah immediately. Then call Dr. Evans to inspect both Sarah and my son."
Mrs. Gable: "Right away, sir. Come here, little darling."
Mrs. Gable gently took the quiet, whimpering boy into her arms, while Sarah dabbed at her bruised eye with a tissue from her apron pocket. Julian reached into his coat, pulling out his cell phone and dialing a number with fast, angry swipes of his thumb.
Julian: "Arthur? It's Julian. Cancel all my meetings for the rest of the week."
Arthur Vance (On Phone): "Julian? What's wrong? You sound furious."
Julian: "I just caught Victoria abusing my son and assaulting my house staff. I want the divorce papers drafted within the hour, and I want a emergency restraining order filed with the Dallas County Court."
Arthur Vance (On Phone): "My God... is Leo alright?"
Julian: "He's safe now. But I want Victoria Cole wiped out of my estate, my trust funds, and my life before the sun sets today."