The white marble banister of the second-floor gallery gleamed cold under the chandelier.
Seven-year-old Toby backed against the brass spindles, his small shoes slipping on the polished hardwood.
Victoria stood over him in an electric blue satin blouse, her manicured fingers digging into his small wrists.
Victoria: Stop squirming, you miserable little leech!
Toby: Please, Victoria! My daddy told me to stay in the hallway until he finished parking!
Victoria: Your daddy isn't here to save you, and neither is your dead mother!
Toby: Don't push me! I'm falling!
Victoria: You don't belong in this mansion, and you will never see a single penny of this estate!
Victoria leaned over the railing and opened both hands wide, letting the child drop straight over the balcony ledge.
Wind rushed past the massive crystal chandelier as Toby plummeted thirty feet toward the hard floor below.
Toby: Help me!
Down in the foyer, the heavy double doors swung open as Julian Sterling walked inside in his tailored charcoal suit.
His eyes snapped upward toward the ceiling, his briefcase dropping instantly onto the floor tiles.
Toby: Help me!
Julian threw his entire body forward into a desperate, frantic sprint across the white stone.
He dropped into a violent knee-slide, his arms locking out like iron bars directly beneath the falling child.
The impact hit Julian's chest with a heavy thud, knocking the air from his lungs as his knees burned against the marble.
Toby clutched his father's jacket, sobbing hysterically as his tiny arms wrapped around his neck.
Toby: Daddy! She pushed me off!
Julian stood up with his weeping son held tight against his shoulder, his jaw locking into pure, murderous rage.
He carried the boy up the marble stairs two at a time, his dress shoes pounding like thunder against the steps.
Reaching the balcony landing, Julian swung his right hand and slapped Victoria hard across the face, sending her stumbling back against the wall.
Julian: You heartless witch!
Victoria: Ah! You struck me!
Julian pointed a rigid, trembling finger straight into her shocked face.
Julian: You tried to murder my son! Get out before I make you pay!
Victoria pressed her hand against her burning cheek, completely unaware that the locked envelope inside Julian's jacket was about to burn her entire world to ashes.