The bright fluorescent lights of the private urgent care clinic hummed softly as Dr. Evans examined Aurora's arm.
Dr. Evans: The burn is second-degree, Daniel. It's clean, but it was definitely caused by direct heat contact.
Daniel: Will it leave a permanent scar on her arm, Doctor?
Dr. Evans: If we keep it clean and apply this prescription ointment twice a day, the scarring should be minimal. She was very lucky.
Aurora: Is the medicine going to hurt, Dr. Evans?
Dr. Evans: Not at all, sweetie. It actually feels nice and cool, like ice cream for your skin.
Beatrice: Thank God it wasn't any worse. My heart nearly stopped when I saw that iron touching her.
Daniel: Doctor, I need you to document every detail of this injury in an official medical report.
Dr. Evans: Of course. In cases of suspected child abuse, state law requires me to file a report with Child Protective Services as well.
Daniel: Good. File every document you can. I want an air-tight record for the police.
As Dr. Evans stepped out to gather the bandages, Daniel's phone began to vibrate violently on the exam table.
The caller ID displayed the name of Vanessa's father, Harrison Montgomery.
Daniel slid his thumb across the screen and held the phone to his ear with a cold, steady grip.
Daniel: Speak, Harrison.
Harrison: Daniel! What in the world is going on with my daughter?! She just called me crying hysterically!
Daniel: Your daughter burned my child with a hot flat iron inside my own home, Harrison.
Harrison: She told me it was a complete accident! She said the little girl tripped into the counter while she was styling her hair!
Daniel: She lied to you, just like she lied to me. I have an eyewitness and a medical report confirming deliberate contact.
Harrison: Listen to me very carefully, Daniel. We are on the verge of finalizing the corporate merger between our two companies next week.
Daniel: The merger is off, Harrison. I am pulling Vance Enterprises out of the deal immediately.
Harrison: You can't do that! My company has already invested fifteen million dollars into the preliminary land acquisition!
Daniel: Then you should have taught your daughter how to behave like a human being instead of a monster.
Harrison: If you cancel this deal, I will destroy your reputation in Dallas! I will leak story after story to the financial press claiming you defaulted on your contracts!
Daniel: Go ahead and try, Harrison. But while you do that, remember that I hold the primary mortgage on your family's Dallas estate.
The line went dead quiet on Harrison's end for three long seconds.
Harrison: You... you wouldn't dare touch my home, Daniel.
Daniel: Try me, Harrison. If Vanessa is not off my property within two hours, I will call in the full balance of your mortgage debt by four o'clock today.
Harrison: Daniel, please! Let's talk about this like reasonable businessmen!
Daniel: I am not speaking as a businessman right now, Harrison. I am speaking as a father.
Daniel hung up the phone without waiting for a reply, handing a cool glass of water to his daughter.
Aurora: Is Miss Vanessa going to stay at our house, Daddy?
Daniel: No, my sweet girl. She will never step foot inside our home ever again.