The guard stood firmly near the front doors while Victoria backed toward the living room.
Mark held his daughter tightly against his chest while trying to calm her heavy breathing.
The warm navy trench coat protected the small girl from the cold damp room draft.
He looked at the dark stained blanket that lay ruined on the polished floor.
That silk blanket was the very last gift his late wife Sarah had ever created.
Sarah had spent months stitching intricate flower patterns into the soft white silk cloth.
Now it was ruined by grape juice poured out of pure bitter spite and jealousy.
Victoria: You care more about that old rag than your own future!
Mark: That fabric was all Emma had left from her loving biological mother.
Victoria: She needs to learn that things change in this wealthy house now!
Mark: Nothing gives you the right to hurt a harmless small child like this.
Mark carefully lifted Emma out of the highchair and stood up on the marble.
He handed his crying daughter to his trusted personal nanny who had just arrived.
Mark: Take Emma upstairs and wash her off right away, please.
,The nanny nodded quickly and carried the small child up the grand mahogany staircase.
Mark turned his full attention back toward Victoria with a tight firm jaw line.
The two tall security guards stood ready to enforce any order Mark gave them.
Mark: Why would you ever do something so completely cruel and unnecessary?
Victoria: Because that baby stands between me and the family trust fund money!
Mark narrowed his eyes as he digested her sudden bitter legal confession.
He had trusted Victoria when he married her just six short months ago.
She had pretended to love Emma like her very own biological child back then.
But ever since the estate lawyers called, her sweet act had completely fallen apart.
Mark: The trust fund was established solely for Emma's future college education.
Victoria: Five million dollars is far too much money for a tiny little girl!
Mark: That money belongs to Sarah's family and was locked away by law.
Victoria stepped closer to the middle of the room with an angry sharp look.
Victoria: I am your wife, and I deserve full control over this mansion!
Mark: You are a stranger in this house starting from this exact moment.
Victoria laughed out loud with a dark bitter sound that echoed off walls.
Victoria: You cannot throw me out without giving me half of your total fortune!