The violent crack echoed off the high marble walls like a gunshot[cite: 1]. Victoria's head snapped violently to the side, her eyes wide with total shock[cite: 1].
Victoria: "Aah!"[cite: 1]
She stumbled backward in her high heels, losing her balance completely, and crashed onto the hard marble floor in a heap of dark blue silk[cite: 1].
Victoria: "You... you hit me! You laid hands on me!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "Get off my floor before I throw you out of those front doors myself."[cite: 1]
Victoria: "I am your fiancee! We signed the preliminary trust agreement last week! I own half the rights to this estate's residence!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "You don't own a single inch of my life or my home."[cite: 1]
Elena: "Mr. Morelli, please, the baby is shaking!"[cite: 1]
Arthur immediately crouched back down, his fierce expression softening as he gently gathered little Leo into his arms, pulling the soft blanket tight around the infant[cite: 1].
Arthur: "Shh, Daddy's here, Leo. Nobody is ever going to hurt you again. Never."[cite: 1]
Victoria pushed herself up onto her elbows, her manicured nails scraping against the polished stone[cite: 1]. A red welt was already forming across her jawline[cite: 1].
Victoria: "You think you can just discard me?! My father is the senior partner at the largest corporate law firm in the city! I will sue you for assault, breach of promise, and emotional distress!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "Call him. Call him right now."[cite: 1]
Victoria: "I will take half your fortune, Arthur! I will take this mansion, your holdings, and your reputation!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "Elena, take Leo upstairs to his nursery. Lock the door from the inside and do not open it for anyone except me."[cite: 1]
Elena: "Yes, Mr. Morelli right away!"[cite: 1]
Elena carefully took the baby into her arms, standing up with determination despite the bleeding cuts on her nose[cite: 1]. She cast a cold glare at Victoria before hurrying up the grand staircase[cite: 1].
Arthur stood at his full height, pulling a small silver smartphone from his suit pocket[cite: 1].
Victoria: "Who are you calling? Your high-priced lawyers won't save you from a domestic violence charge!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "I'm not calling my lawyers, Victoria."[cite: 1]
Victoria: "Then who?!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "Head of Mansion Security. Activate the primary surveillance feed for the nursery and ground floor foyer immediately."[cite: 1]
Victoria's breathing hitched instantly, all the color draining out of her face[cite: 1].
Victoria: "Surveillance...? You said... you said there were no cameras inside the private living quarters!"[cite: 1]
Arthur: "I lied to you the day you moved in."[cite: 1]