Richard Sterling stepped into the bright foyer wearing his tailored light beige business suit.
He had forgotten his essential legal documents on the office desk and returned home to fetch them.
The shocking scene unfolded directly before his eyes the very second he opened the doors.
He saw Victoria striking the loyal maid who was shielding his small crying daughter on the floor.
A surge of fierce protective anger washed over the wealthy father as he charged forward across the foyer.
Richard: Maya! I have got you! Stop right there!
Richard stepped between Victoria and the maid, pulling his small daughter safely into his strong arms.
Little Maya buried her wet face into her father's neck and sobbed with great gasps of relief.
Victoria immediately froze in her tracks and adjusted her peach dress with shaking hands.
She quickly put on a fake expression of tears and tried to touch Richard's arm softly.
Victoria: Oh Richard, thank goodness you are home! The maid tried to steal Maya away from me!
Elena: That is a complete lie, Mr. Sterling! She pushed Maya off the balcony rail on purpose!
Victoria: Keep your quiet mouth shut! Richard, she is a lying thief trying to ruin our family!
Richard looked down at Elena's red, bruised cheek and saw the deep fear in his toddler's eyes.
He then looked up at Victoria, his eyes cold and sharp like ice steel cutting through wood.
Richard: No! You will never touch my daughter again!
Richard raised his hand to block Victoria as she tried to step closer toward the child.
He pushed her away firmly, causing her high heels to catch on the slick marble floor edge.