Mark kept his voice as steady as possible despite his trembling panic.
Mark: Victoria, let us talk about the money downstairs calmly right now.
Victoria: There is nothing left to talk about with you anymore, Mark!
Lily screamed loudly, her tiny body trembling in Victoria's harsh grip.
Victoria lost her foot traction slightly on the polished high wooden balcony edge.
She stumbled backward in surprise and accidentally released her sudden firm grip.
Lily slipped toward the dangerous edge of the high upper balcony railing.
Mark moved with pure instinct and pushed forward with incredible speed.
He did not hesitate for a single microsecond to save his daughter.
He dove across the slick floor as the child fell backward.
He caught little Lily securely in his arms before she slipped down.
He held the sobbing child tightly against his broad chest in safety.
Mark: I've got you, sweetheart. Daddy's here. You're safe now, my baby.
Lily cried hysterical tears into her father's soft navy blue shirt.
Mark wrapped his strong arms around her, breathing heavy gasps of air.
His whole body was shaking from the intense rush of protective adrenaline.
He looked at his precious baby to make sure she was okay.
She had no injuries, only heavy tears running down her cheeks.
Victoria stood on the landing, gasping in shock at her actions.
She realized what she had just done in her blind rage.
She rushed down the grand staircase frantically toward the main floor.
Victoria: It was an accident! She slipped!
Mark stood up slowly while holding his crying daughter safe and sound.
His face turned red with absolute fury as he watched Victoria run.
He was no longer just a calm man protecting his inheritance.
He was a protective father ready to fight for his child.