The steam in the master bathroom carried the sharp scent of lavender bath oils, curling against the high white ceiling[cite: 1].
Alyssa knelt beside the freestanding marble tub, her emerald silk robe trailing across the wet floor as both her hands shoved six-month-old Toby beneath the churning water[cite: 1].
Alyssa: Keep thrashing, you little brat[cite: 1]. Nobody can hear you through these double doors[cite: 1].
Alyssa: Now he'll finally know what it feels like to lose everything[cite: 1].
Bubbles burst violently on the water's surface as tiny fists fought against her manicured fingers[cite: 1].
Alyssa looked straight ahead, wet strands of blonde hair clinging to her cheeks, her face twisting in cold satisfaction[cite: 1].
Down the second-floor gallery, crystal chandeliers rattled as heavy dress shoes slammed against the hardwood[cite: 1].
Julian Sterling sprinted through the hallway in his tailored black tuxedo, his silk bow tie hanging loose around his collar[cite: 1].
Julian: No[cite: 1]!
He kicked the carved bathroom door open with an explosive crash that splintered the brass lock[cite: 1].
Julian threw his entire weight forward, shoving Alyssa hard across the wet tiles so her shoulders slammed violently against the porcelain rim[cite: 1].
His right hand flashed in a deafening slap that snapped her head sideways into the water[cite: 1].
Julian plunged both arms into the tub, scooping the limp, sputtering baby out of the water and straight against his chest[cite: 1].
Julian: Get away from my son! Daddy's here[cite: 1]!
He snatched a plush Egyptian cotton towel from the heated rack, swaddling the shivering child as Toby let out a ragged, choking cough[cite: 1].
Julian: You will lose everything! Your name, your money, this house[cite: 1]!
Alyssa: You think you won, Julian? You don't even know what's in your basement vault[cite: 1]!
Four armed police officers charged through the open doorway, their tactical boots skidding across the wet marble as they pinned Alyssa flat to the floor[cite: 1].
Julian: You will never touch my child again[cite: 1]!
Julian clutched the coughing infant against his wet tuxedo jacket, completely unaware that the fire burning in the master fireplace held the key to the entire Sterling empire[cite: 1].