Marcus: Maria, tell me exactly what happened right now.
Victoria: Maria, if you say one word, you won't get a penny of severance!
Marcus: You don't fire anyone in my house, Victoria! Maria, speak!
Maria: Mrs. Sterling was angry because Lily spilled juice on the rug. She dragged her in here and used the lighter!
Lily: I’m sorry, Daddy! I tried to wipe the juice up, but she grabbed me!
Victoria: They are teaming up against me, Marcus! Why would I do that to a kid?
Marcus: Because you've hated her since the day we signed our marriage certificate!
Victoria: That’s absurd! I've been a loving stepmother to her!
Marcus took a deep breath, trying to control the shaking in his hands as he looked at Victoria's designer dress and expensive jewelry.
Marcus: A loving stepmother doesn't burn a seven-year-old child with a lighter.
Victoria: It was an accident! I was just holding the lighter to scare her into behaving!
Marcus: Scared her? You branded my daughter like an animal!
Victoria: You’re overreacting because she’s your biological daughter from your first marriage!
Marcus: I am reacting because you are a monster living under my roof!
Marcus knelt back down beside Lily, taking off his black tuxedo jacket and wrapping it around her small, shaking body.
Marcus: Maria, go to the kitchen, grab the first aid kit, and bring cold water immediately.
Maria: Right away, sir!
Victoria: Marcus, please, let's talk about this in the bedroom privately.
Marcus: Do not come near us.
Victoria: We have a reputation in Dallas, Marcus! If this gets out, your firm's stock will drop!
Marcus: You think I care about company stock when my child is bleeding?
Victoria: I am your wife! You need to back me up!
Marcus: You ceased being my wife the second you pressed fire against my daughter's skin.
Victoria: You can't just toss me out! We signed a prenup, but I still have rights!
Marcus: You have the right to remain silent, Victoria.
Victoria’s eyes widened with anger as she straightened her silk robe, her mask of innocence slipping completely away.
Victoria: You think any judge will believe a maid and a traumatized child over me?
Marcus: I don't need a judge's permission to ruin you.
Victoria: Try it, Marcus. My family lawyer will have half your estate before nightfall.
Marcus: My lawyers built the firm that handles your family's trust fund.
Victoria: You wouldn't risk the scandal. You love your reputation too much.
Marcus: I love my daughter. You clearly have no idea what that means.
Maria returned running into the bathroom, holding a white box filled with bandages and burn cream.
Maria: Here it is, Mr. Sterling. Let me help her.
Marcus: Clean the wound gently, Maria. I need to make a phone call that can't wait.
Marcus pulled a sleek smartphone from his trousers, his eyes fixed on Victoria as he dialed.
Victoria: Who are you calling?
Marcus: The police, and then my legal team.
Victoria: You wouldn't dare put your own wife in handcuffs!
Marcus: Watch me.