Victoria's eyes darted frantically toward the main front entrance door.
She saw the utter fury burning in her husband's dark eyes.
Mark stepped between Victoria and the small children behind him protectively.
Mark: You kept a nine-year-old boy bound in a cabinet all night!
Mark: Is this how you love the children of this household?
Victoria lowered her voice and tried to sound soft and pleading.
Victoria: Mark, you do not understand how hard it is for me!
Victoria: He constantly reminds me of your first wife every single day!
Victoria: He ruins our perfect image when important guests visit our home!
Mark felt a disgust like nothing he had ever known before.
Mark: His mother was a good woman who loved this family dearly.
Mark: You are a heartless monster who hurt a helpless child.
Victoria's gentle expression melted away into a sharp angry glare instantly.
She dropped her soft act and pointed a long finger at Mark.
Victoria: I am your legal wife and the mistress of this estate!
Victoria: You cannot talk to me like I am some common stranger!
Victoria: I deserve respect in this house, no matter what happened!
Mark took a fast step forward and stood directly in her space.
His voice shook with heavy emotion that reverberated off the walls.
Mark: You lost any right to respect the moment you hurt Leo!
Mark: I built this life, this business, and this home for them!
Mark: You came into our lives claiming to care for my kids!
Victoria backed up against the heavy wooden railing of the stairs.
She realized her power in the household was slipping away fast.
Victoria: If you turn against me, I will take half your fortune!
Victoria: I will call my divorce lawyer and ruin your public name!
Mark let out a bitter laugh that sounded cold and resolute.
Mark: You forgot about the strict prenuptial agreement you signed, Victoria.
Mark: Any cruel act against my children voids your financial settlements completely.
Victoria's jaw dropped as total panic took over her face.
She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came out.
Mark turned his back on her and picked up his son.
Mark: Go to your bedroom right now and pack your bags.
Mark: You have ten minutes to get out of my home.