Richard rushed over, immediately scooping up the crying baby into his arms, and cradling the child tightly to comfort him.
Richard: Oh my god! Are you okay?! Daddy has you now, you're safe.
Baby: Daddy! She hurt my legs... she made me crawl on the hard floor!
Richard: I know, my sweet boy. I am so sorry I left you alone with her.
Vanessa: You're blowing this completely out of proportion, Richard! It's just tough love training!
Richard: Tough love? You had our baby on a dog leash like an animal! Have you lost your mind?
Vanessa: The estate trust lawyers advised strict discipline for children of high-society heirs!
Richard: No lawyer on earth would tell you to torture my flesh and blood! You are sick!
Richard pressed the weeping child against his chest, rocking back and forth while glaring daggers at his wife.
Clara: Mr. Vance, she beats him every single day as soon as your car leaves the driveway.
Vanessa: You lying, worthless maid! Shut your trap before I have you thrown in jail for defamation!
Richard: Do not you dare speak to Clara like that! She has more humanity in her little finger than you have in your entire body!
Vanessa: You're taking the word of a hired servant over your own legally wedded wife?
Richard: My wife wouldn't drag an innocent baby across marble floors with a leather strap!
Vanessa took a nervous step back, her rose-pink satin gown rustling against the pristine floorboards.
Vanessa: Our prenup protects my settlement! You can't just throw me out like trash!
Richard: Watch me. Attempted child abuse voids every single clause in that prenuptial agreement.
Baby: Make her go away, Daddy! She's scary!
Richard: She's leaving right now, son. Daddy is going to make sure she never touches you again.
Clara stood by the wall, holding her bruised cheek while tears streamed down her face from the sheer emotional release.
Richard: Clara, are you alright? Let me see your face.
Clara: I'm fine, Mr. Vance. Just make sure the baby gets to the private doctor immediately.
Richard nodded grimly, his jaw clenching so hard a muscle twitched violently beneath his skin.
Richard: Clara, tell me everything she has been doing behind my back.