The vast foyer remained silent for a long moment after Victoria spoke those words.
Eleanor turned away from the railing and slowly walked down the grand marble stairs.
Her posture was still rigid, but her face was pale with deep panic and fear.
"You cannot speak to me like that in my own home," Eleanor muttered weakly.
"This is not your home anymore, Mother," Julian said, stepping in front of Victoria.
"I funded the mortgage on this entire property three years ago after Father died."
"The deed to this estate is in my name, not yours," he added firmly.
Eleanor stopped on the third step from the bottom, looking at her son in shock.
"I raised you to respect this family business and our status!" Eleanor argued back.
"You raised me to care about status, but Victoria taught me about real love," Julian said.
Victoria adjusted baby Lily in her arms as the child finally stopped crying completely.
"You tried to destroy our lives because you were afraid of losing control," Victoria said.
"You told the whole family at dinner last month that I was unfaithful."
"You made Julian's sisters doubt me and turn their backs on my baby shower."
"I stayed silent then because I thought you were just grieving your late husband."
"But today you put my child in physical danger just to prove a point."
Eleanor shook her head quickly, trying to deny the cruel act she just committed.
"It was an accident! I slipped on the rug near the railing!" Eleanor lied loudly.
"I saw your hands push forward, Mother," Julian said, his heart completely broken.
"The security cameras in the balcony hall recorded the entire moment clearly."
Eleanor gasped, her eyes darting up toward the small black camera on the ceiling.
She had forgotten that Julian updated the mansion security system the previous week.
Every angle of the balcony and the lower foyer was stored on the digital server.
"You wouldn't use that against your own mother," Eleanor said, her voice shaking.
"I will use whatever I must to protect my wife and child," Julian replied strongly.
"You have one hour to pack your personal belongings and leave this house."
"If you are not gone by then, I will call the police and file charges."
Eleanor stumbled backward slightly, holding onto the wooden bannister for support.
The woman who held all the power in the city was now completely powerless.