The sheer velocity of the blow sent Victoria staggering backward off balance. She crashed heavily onto the polished marble floor, her expensive burgundy velvet gown twisting around her legs as she let out a choked gasp.
Victoria: You... you actually hit me?
Richard: That was for putting my child's life in danger[cite: 4]! You are finished in this house[cite: 4]!
Elena watched from the floor a few feet away, shielding the infant's eyes with her hand while breathing out a shaky prayer of thanks. A small puddle of blood began to pool on the white tiles next to Victoria's hand, where a broken tooth had rattled to a complete stop.
Victoria: My tooth... my face... I'm calling my divorce lawyer and having you arrested for domestic assault[cite: 4]!
Richard: Go ahead and call whoever you want[cite: 4]! The security cameras recorded every single second of your attempted murder from three different angles[cite: 4]!
Victoria stared up from the ground in wide-eyed shock and terror, her fingers gingerly touching her bleeding lip as the reality of her impending arrest finally set in. The rising dramatic climax of the confrontation filled the silent foyer, punctuated only by the faint, muffled crying of the infant still cradled in Elena's arms.
Victoria: You can't throw me out like common trash[cite: 4]! The property deed has my name right alongside yours[cite: 4]!
Richard: Property deeds don't cover attempted homicide, Victoria[cite: 4]! The police are already through the gates[cite: 4]!
Elena slowly pushed herself up from the floor, keeping the grey car seat securely locked against her hip as she backed away from the escalating violence.
Elena: Mr. Harrison, should I take the baby upstairs away from all this shouting?
Richard: Yes, Elena. Take her to the nursery and lock the door. Don't let anyone in until the authorities arrive[cite: 4]!
Victoria scrambled backward on the marble tiles, her designer clothing stained with dust and blood as she realized her iron grip on the family estate had completely shattered[cite: 4].
Victoria: You'll regret this day, Richard[cite: 4]! You'll lose every cent of your trust fund trying to fight me in court[cite: 4]!
Richard: I'd rather be broke and live on the streets than spend another second under the same roof as a murderer[cite: 4]!