Brandon: Someone call 911 right now! Move your hands, Victoria, or I swear to God you won't walk out of this house!
Victoria clutched her red, swollen cheek, her eyes darting toward the estate security guards who had just rushed into the foyer[cite: 1].
Victoria: Brandon! Are you insane?! You hit your own sister for an accident!
Brandon: An accident?! I saw you push her! I stood in the doorway and saw your hands on her shoulders!
Victoria: She tripped on her own dress! She's clumsy! She was looking for attention because you haven't paid enough mind to her this week!
Brandon: Shut your mouth! Marcus, hold her in the study! Don't let her leave the grounds!
The head security guard, Marcus, stepped forward with two armed guards, blocking Victoria's path as she tried to retreat up the upper hallway[cite: 1].
Marcus: Head down to the study, Miss Sterling. Do not make this harder on yourself.
Victoria: Get your filthy hands off me! Do you know who pays your salary?! My father built this company, not Brandon!
Brandon: Dad left me fifty-one percent of the voting shares and full control of the family estate in his will, Victoria! You are a guest in this house, and after today, you're a prisoner!
Brandon dropped back down beside Chloe, his hands shaking as he pulled off his jacket and folded it beneath her head[cite: 1]. Her skin felt cold, her breathing shallow and ragged[cite: 1].
Brandon: Stay with me, Chloe. Don't leave me, please. The ambulance is coming.
Chloe: *Whispering weakly* Brandon... the baby... I can't feel the baby moving...
Brandon: Don't talk, sweetheart. Just breathe. You're going to be okay. Both of you are going to be okay.
The sound of sirens grew louder outside the grand estate, red and blue lights flashing against the pristine white marble walls of the entryway[cite: 1]. Paramedics burst through the front doors carrying emergency gear and a collapsible stretcher[cite: 1].
Paramedic Lead: Sir, step back and give us room to work! What happened here?
Brandon: She was pushed down fifteen steps! She's seven months pregnant! Check her stomach, please, she said she can't feel the baby!
Paramedic Lead: We've got her. Get the neck brace on! Prepare the fetal heart monitor immediately!
The medical team worked with rapid precision, securing Chloe onto the backboard while attaching heart sensors to her chest and abdomen[cite: 1]. A high-pitched, steady rhythmic sound suddenly filled the quiet foyer—*thump-thump, thump-thump, thump-thump*[cite: 1].
Brandon: Is that... is that the baby?
Paramedic Lead: Heartbeat is strong, sir! Fetal heart rate is one-forty-five. But she's showing signs of early placental abruption. We need to get her to Texas Health Presbyterian right now!
Brandon: I'm coming in the rig with you!
Paramedic Lead: Let's go! Move, move!
As the paramedics wheeled the stretcher out the door, Brandon turned back toward the study where Victoria was watching through the glass paneling[cite: 1]. He walked up to Marcus, his voice cold as ice[cite: 1].
Brandon: Call the Dallas Police Department. Tell Chief Miller I'm pressing attempted murder charges against my sister[cite: 1].
Victoria: *Screaming from inside* You can't charge me, Brandon! The family lawyers will crush you before you ever step foot in a courtroom!
Brandon: The family lawyers work for me, Victoria. You have nothing left.
Brandon turned and ran down the front steps, leaping into the back of the ambulance just as the doors slammed shut and the vehicle sped away with sirens roaring[cite: 1].