Heavy, rapid footsteps echoed across the expansive marble courtyard as the grand entrance doors swung wide open. A man in a tailored light grey suit marched angrily into the bright hall, his eyes wide with sudden panic as he took in the chaotic scene unfolding before him.
Richard: What is going on here?! Who screamed?
Elena clutched the crying infant tightly against her dark green apron, looking up from the floor with a mixture of horror and fury. Before she could even draw a complete breath to explain, Victoria began descending the grand staircase with an expression of pure, unadulterated malice.
Victoria: Shut up! Not another word out of you, servant!
Elena: Sir, please! You have to listen to me! She dropped the baby over the balcony on purpose!
Richard froze in his tracks, his gaze shifting from the weeping maid on the floor to the cold, unrepentant glare of the woman in the burgundy velvet gown. The color drained entirely from his face as the terrifying reality of what had just happened sank into his mind[cite: 4].
Richard: You tried to kill my child? Have you completely lost your mind[cite: 4]?
Victoria: That child is a bastard who threatens our entire inheritance and the family business[cite: 4]! You should be thanking me for cleaning up this mess[cite: 4]!
Elena: She was crying because she was hungry, Mr. Harrison! There was no excuse for this!
Richard's jaw tightened into a rigid line as a dark, dangerous fury overtook every ounce of his rational thought. He marched forward with heavy, rapid footsteps on the marble floor, closing the distance between himself and Victoria with terrifying speed.
Richard: You are a monster[cite: 4]!
Victoria sneered, crossing her arms over her chest as she prepared to defend her actions with another cold legal justification[cite: 4].
Victoria: Don't you dare raise your voice at me in my own estate[cite: 4]! The prenuptial agreement protects my position, and you know it[cite: 4]!
Without warning, Richard raised his hand and struck Victoria across the face with explosive force. A sharp slap impact echoed through the high-key hall, followed instantly by a sharp, startled cry.
Victoria: Ah!