Marcus: You don't know anything, child! Your father owed me that money!
Clara: My husband... my husband never owed you a single dime, Marcus...
I managed to slide down into a sitting position against the marble island, holding my blood-stained dish towel tightly against my side. Lily hurried back to my side, kneeling down and wrapping her small arms protectively around my shoulders.
Lily: Lean on me, Mommy. I've got you.
Clara: You were so brave, sweetie... where did you learn to kick like that?
Lily: Daddy put me in taekwondo when I was five, remember? He said I needed to know how to protect you if he wasn't here.
Marcus: Your father was a fool! He left fifty million dollars in a trust fund for a kid who isn't even old enough to drive!
Clara: He left it for her because he knew you were embezzling from the firm!
Marcus: I built Sterling Logistics! I deserved half of those corporate shares!
Clara: You forged his signature on the secondary loan agreements, Marcus! I found the bank records in his private desk three days ago!
Marcus groaned, trying to push himself up onto his elbows on the slick marble floor. His eyes were bright red and swollen shut from the pepper gel, tears streaming down his bearded cheeks as he blindly reached for the fallen iron poker.
Marcus: Where is the poker... where is it...
Lily: Don't even try it!
Lily kicked the iron poker away across the marble floor. It slid ten feet down the hallway, clattering loudly against the baseboard near the front entrance.
Marcus: You arrogant little brat... when my lawyers hear about this—
Clara: Your lawyers won't save you from a home invasion and attempted murder charge, Marcus.
Marcus: I have a signed access agreement! Your late husband gave me a keycard to this estate!
Clara: That keycard was revoked by the board of directors two weeks ago when they suspended you from the company!
Lily: And you broke the glass on the patio door to get inside! I saw the sharp pieces on the floor!
Marcus swallowed hard, his gasping breaths echoing in the enclosed hallway. He realized every exit was blocked by solid steel shutters, and the digital alarm was transmitting a priority distress call directly to the city precinct.
Marcus: Clara... please. Think about the company's stock price. If the press finds out I broke in here, Sterling Logistics will fall apart on the market tomorrow!
Clara: The company belongs to Lily now. And tomorrow, the board will officially vote to remove your name from the charter forever.
Marcus: I can pay you! I'll transfer my remaining personal shares to your account right now!
Lily: Mommy doesn't want your dirty money!
Distant sirens began to wail through the night air outside, their piercing sounds growing louder as three patrol cars turned into our long, private driveway.