Before her hand could reach his cheek, Marcus's arm shot out like a steel bar. He caught Victoria's wrist mid-air, locking his grip around her hand so tight that her fingers snapped backward.
Victoria: You ruined my life, you arrogant bastard!
Marcus: Don't ever raise your hand in this house again.
Victoria: Let go of me! You're hurting my wrist!
Marcus: You touch my son again and you're dead!
With a fast, sudden movement, Marcus delivered a firm, powerful slap directly across Victoria's cheek. The loud crack echoed through the high ceilings of the hall, sending Victoria stumbling sideways until she lost her footing entirely and crashed hard onto the oak floor.
Victoria: Ow! You... you hit me! You actually struck me!
Marcus: Get up off my floor, Victoria.
Victoria: This is domestic violence! I'm calling the police right now and having you arrested!
Marcus: Go ahead. Pull out your phone and call them. The video camera right above your head recorded you attacking me first.
Victoria looked up toward the crown molding at the corner of the ceiling. A tiny red light blinked back at her from the high-definition lens mounted on the wall.
Victoria: You... you set a trap for me!
Marcus: You set a trap for yourself the moment you decided to treat this family like a business transaction.
Elena: Mr. Vance, the baby's breath is coming back to normal... he is resting his head on my shoulder now.
Marcus: Thank you, Elena. Keep holding him.
Victoria: Look at you two! Look at the way you look at each other! You're having an affair with the maid behind my back, aren't you?!
Marcus: Elena has shown more care and honor in this house than you ever did in six months of marriage.
Victoria: She is a low-class servant who cleans our toilets! How can you compare me to her?!
Elena: I may clean this house, Mrs. Vance, but my heart is clean too. You are rotten on the inside.
Victoria struggled up onto her knees, wiping a smear of red lipstick from her chin with the back of her trembling hand. Her expensive designer hair was messy, hanging across her forehead in wet strands.
Victoria: You insolent little rodent! I will destroy you both before this week is over!
Marcus: Your time in this house is finished, Victoria. The police are already sitting at the main security gate right now.