Victoria stood frozen near the broken wine glass as the reality of her failure sank in.
She knew that if Mark called security, her family's social status would be destroyed completely.
She grabbed her expensive leather purse from the hall table with a violent yank.
Her high heels clicked loudly across the wet floor as she headed toward the exit.
Before reaching the threshold, she turned back one last time to throw a bitter glance.
Victoria: You will regret choosing her when your company stock drops tomorrow!
Mark: My family is worth more than every single dollar in the world.
Victoria turned on her heel and stomped out into the bright driveway daylight.
The heavy front doors slammed shut behind her with a loud boom that shook the walls.
The mansion fell into a peaceful silence for the very first time in two weeks.
Mark turned his full attention back to Sarah, whose tears were finally slowing down.
He reached up and gently wiped the gray bleach dust from her soft cheekbones.
Mark: How did she trick the house staff into letting this happen to you?
Sarah: She showed them forged papers saying you put her in charge of everything.
Mark: She forged official legal documents behind my back while I was away?
Sarah: She fired our regular guards and hired her own cruel private workers instead.
Mark shook his head in horror as he understood the full depth of the trap.
Victoria had planned to isolate Sarah and force her to run away in distress.
She wanted Sarah to give up her legal rights to the family estate and inheritance.
By making Sarah feel worthless, Victoria hoped to take her place inside the home.
Mark felt a cold chill run down his spine as he realized how close it came.
If he had returned a day later, Sarah might have fled the house out of despair.
Mark: Where are those private guards she hired to watch over you?
Sarah: They are waiting down in the driveway near the back staff gates.
Mark: They will be removed from this property by state police before sunset.
Mark helped Sarah sit down on the plush velvet sofa inside the quiet living room.
He knelt on the soft rug right in front of her and held both her hands tightly.
Mark: I am so sorry I was not here to protect you from her evil plans.
Sarah: You came back just in time Mark, that is all that matters to me.
Mark: I promise you on my life that nobody will ever disrespect you again.
Sarah took a deep ragged breath and let out a long sigh of immense relief.
The heavy burden she had carried for two terrible weeks was finally lifted away.
Mark kissed her hands gently before standing up to make the necessary emergency calls.
He was going to make sure that Victoria faced full legal consequences for her actions.