Mark stood up from the mahogany conference table instantly in shock.
Mark: Elena, what is that loud sound in the background?
Elena: You need to come home right this second, sir!
Mark: Did something happen to my little girl?
Elena: Please just come back now and see for yourself.
Mark canceled his remaining afternoon meetings without another single word.
He sprinted out to his car and ignited the engine fast.
His hands gripped the leather steering wheel until his knuckles turned white.
He drove across the city, ignoring the heavy freeway traffic entirely.
Meanwhile, Victoria walked into the living room to read a magazine.
She picked up expensive interior decorating catalogues from the glass table.
She planned to remodel the house once the marriage became legal.
In the kitchen, Elena continued comforting little Lily with gentle words.
She washed the sticky oatmeal from the girl's soft blonde hair.
Lily held onto Elena's neck, shivering from the shocking experience.
The front security gates opened quietly as Mark pulled into driveway.
He shut the heavy car door and marched toward the house.
His heart pounded wildly against his chest as he unlocked doors.
He pushed open the massive grand front entrance of the foyer.
The loud thud of his leather shoes echoed across marble walls.
Victoria froze on the velvet sofa and quickly stood up tall.
She tried to arrange her face into a warm, gentle smile.
Mark strode into the kitchen, his eyes burning with pure anger.
He saw Elena holding his wet, sobbing daughter near the sink.
Mark: What did you do to my daughter in here?
Victoria: She refused to eat her morning meal, Mark!
Mark: That does not give you any right to act like this!
Victoria: I was only trying to teach her proper discipline!
Mark: Look at her hair and her soaking wet clothes!
Victoria took a step back as Mark stepped closer to her.
The air in the white modern kitchen felt completely suffocating now.
Mark took a deep breath, trying to control his rising fury.
He pulled his sobbing daughter close into his strong, protective arms.
Lily buried her small wet face into her father's crisp suit jacket.