The grand sunlit hallway of the estate was quiet until the heavy oak doors rattled.
Evelyn walked quickly along the second-floor balcony with papers clutched in her hand.
Her stepmother Victoria followed right behind her with quick aggressive steps.
Victoria wore a bright red silk dress that rustled loudly across the marble floor.
Evelyn stopped near the white balcony railing and turned around to face her.
Evelyn: Stop following me right now, Victoria!
Victoria: Give me those bank documents immediately, Evelyn.
Evelyn: These documents prove you stole from my father's trust fund.
Victoria: Your father left this estate to me in his final will.
Evelyn: That will was forged and you know it!
Victoria took two aggressive steps forward toward the younger woman.
Evelyn backed against the solid white stone balustrade of the upper floor.
Victoria: Nobody cares about your baseless accusations, Evelyn.
Evelyn: My father loved this house and loved his country.
She pointed across the grand foyer toward the prominent American flag on the wall.
Evelyn: He stood for honesty and integrity his entire life.
Victoria: Your father is gone and I run this house now.
Evelyn: You will not strip away my mother's legacy!
Victoria reached out suddenly and grabbed Evelyn's wrist with hard force.
Evelyn gasped loudly as her feet slipped on the slick polished floor.
Evelyn: Stop, what are you doing!
Victoria: Hand over those papers or you will regret it!
Evelyn tried to pull her arm back from the older woman's grip.
The force of the shove sent Evelyn leaning backward over the railing.
She cried out in terror as her balance was completely lost.
The papers flew out of her hand and scattered into the bright air.
Below in the grand foyer, heavy glass front doors slammed open wide.
Marcus rushed into the house after hearing the sharp scream above.
He wore a sharp dark suit and moved with incredible speed.
He sprinted across the marble floor under the huge crystal chandelier.
Evelyn lost her footing completely near the top step of the stairs.
She fell downward right toward the hard white floor of the lobby.
Marcus reached the bottom of the staircase in a split second.
He caught Evelyn safely in his arms before she struck the ground.
The impact knocked the breath out of his chest as he held her tightly.
Evelyn trembled violently while holding onto his dark jacket.
Evelyn: Please protect me from her!
Marcus: You are safe now, Evelyn.
Marcus looked up toward the upper balcony where Victoria stood watching.
His eyes burned with absolute anger as he stood his ground.