Ethan froze at the entrance threshold, his chest heaving inside his formal black tuxedo coat[cite: 1].
His sharp eyes locked onto Clara weeping on her knees, clutching Toby whose forehead was swollen and red[cite: 1].
Ethan: What in God's name just happened in my foyer?![cite: 1]
Clara: Sir! She purposely threw your baby from the balcony to kill him![cite: 1]
Clara pointed a trembling, tear-streaked finger straight up toward the curved balcony railing[cite: 1].
Victoria was already hurrying down the curved marble staircase, her sapphire-blue sequins flashing under the chandeliers[cite: 1].
Her high heels clicked softly against the stone steps as she forced a sweet, innocent smile onto her lips[cite: 1].
Victoria: Darling, it was a terrible accident! He slipped from my hands! Don't listen to this crazy maid![cite: 1]
Clara: She mocked him, Mr. Sterling! She shouted 'catch' and hurled him over the rail on purpose![cite: 1]
Victoria: Ethan, look at me! I was just showing our boy the beautiful foyer from the landing! The silk swaddle was too slick![cite: 1]
Ethan: You were holding my infant son over a twenty-foot marble drop, Victoria?[cite: 1]
Victoria: The morning breeze startled me, honey! I lost my grip for half a second! You know how clumsy I get![cite: 1]
Clara: She laughed, sir! She cackled like a demon while he fell![cite: 1]
Victoria: Shut your mouth, you lying peasant! Ethan, fire this woman immediately!
Ethan did not answer her sweet words. He marched up the first three steps of the grand staircase with lethal fury[cite: 1].
His heavy right hand flew forward, delivering an explosive slap across Victoria's face that snapped her head violently to the side[cite: 1].
Before she could draw breath, his left hand cracked across her other cheek, followed by a third brutal strike[cite: 1].
Ethan: HOW DARE YOU! YOU TRIED TO MURDER MY FLESH AND BLOOD![cite: 1]
Victoria shrieked in agony, stumbling backward against the marble banister beneath the grand American flag[cite: 1].
She clutched her bruised, stinging cheeks with trembling, manicured hands, gasping in utter ruin[cite: 1].
Victoria: Ethan... you struck me! You hit your lawful fiancee in front of the help![cite: 1]
Ethan: GET OUT OF MY HOUSE RIGHT NOW! GUARDS, CALL 911 AND LOCK THIS MONSTER IN PRISON FOREVER![cite: 1]
Victoria: You cannot arrest me! We are signing our marriage certificate this Friday!
Ethan: The only document you are signing, Victoria, is a confession to attempted murder![cite: 1]
Ethan turned away from her, walking back down the stairs to kneel directly on the marble beside Clara[cite: 1].
He reached out his broad, shaking hands, gently pulling Clara and his weeping infant into his chest[cite: 1].
Ethan: Toby... Daddy is right here. Daddy has you, my brave boy.
Clara: Mr. Sterling, his head grazed the banister rail during the fall... we must get a doctor.
Ethan: Jackson! Call Dr. Evans from the pediatric clinic! Have him bring the trauma ambulance now!
The head security guard hurried forward from the foyer entrance, pulling out his two-way radio.
Jackson: Emergency dispatch is already en route, Mr. Sterling. But you need to see this screen first.
Victoria backed up another step along the banister, her blue dress rustling against the stone[cite: 1].
Victoria: Ethan, please! We can settle this privately! Think of the corporate merger between our families!
Ethan: There is no merger, Victoria. There is only a criminal trial waiting for you.