The heavy front doors burst open with a loud and echoing crash.
Mark Montgomery rushed into the white foyer wearing his sharp navy suit.
He had driven back from Houston early after receiving an urgent phone call.
His eyes swept across the scattered legal papers covering the white marble.
Then he looked up toward the second-story grand balcony in sheer shock.
He saw Elena kneeling on the ground, cradling his crying daughter tightly.
He saw Victoria standing over them with her hand raised in anger.
Lily: Daddy, save me! Save me, Daddy!
Mark face twisted into an expression of intense and blinding rage immediately.
He did not hesitate for a single second on the ground floor.
He strode forward fiercely across the marble, his heavy shoes making loud thuds.
He took the broad staircase steps three at a time in rapid speed.
Victoria backed away toward the wall as Mark reached the upper landing.
He stepped directly between Victoria and the kneeling maid with his child.
Mark: How dare you lay a hand on my child? Get out of my sight right now!
Victoria: Mark, listen to me, the maid was trying to steal from you!
Mark: Do not lie to me while I stand in my own house!
Mark looked down at the scattered papers lying across the main hall.
He recognized his late wife original handwriting on the trust fund documents.
Victoria had broken into his locked office safe while he was away.
Mark: You were trying to alter my daughter future inheritance behind my back!
Victoria: I did it for us, Mark, so we could start fresh!
Mark: There is no us anymore after what you tried to do today!
Mark pointed his finger toward the grand staircase with absolute determination.
Victoria stood frozen on the balcony, her burgundy dress rustling with fear.
Elena held Lily securely and stood up slowly against the white wall.
She knew the truth had finally come out into the clear light.