The vast living room became completely silent except for Lilly's quiet, sniffling breaths.
David kept his arms wrapped around his small child, comforting her back gently.
Victoria straightened her gold silk dress and tried to regain her calm posture.
Victoria: David, you are overreacting to a simple discipline lesson!
David: Simple discipline lesson?
David: Putting my child on the floor with animal food is discipline?
Victoria: She refused her lunch and threw a fit on my clean carpets!
Elena stepped forward from the hallway, wiping tears from her eyes with her sleeve.
Elena: That is a complete lie, Mr. Davis!
Victoria turned her head sharply toward the maid with a harsh glare.
Victoria: Shut your mouth, Elena!
Victoria: You are just a hired servant in this house!
David: Let her speak right now, Victoria!
Elena took a deep breath and looked directly at her employer with steady courage.
Elena: Mrs. Davis locked Lilly in her room all morning without any breakfast.
Elena: When Lilly begged for food, she brought out the pet bowl as punishment.
Elena: She told the child she was no better than an animal!
David felt his blood boil inside his veins as he listened to Elena's words.
He looked down at Lilly, who was holding onto his shirt for dear life.
David: Is this true, Lilly?
Lilly gave a slow, trembling nod against his shoulder without looking up.
Lilly: She said you didn't love me anymore, Daddy.
Lilly: She said I was taking your money away from her.
David stared at Victoria with total disgust and disappointment in his heart.
He realized that Victoria had only married him for his wealth and trust funds.
She viewed little Lilly as a threat to her financial inheritance and lifestyle.
When David was away at his business meetings, Victoria showed her true cruel nature.
David: You twisted, evil woman.
Victoria: David, listen to me!
Victoria: I did it for her own good so she learns respect!
David: You starved a five-year-old orphan child out of sheer malice!
Victoria stood up from the sofa, her face turning red with sudden anger.
Victoria: I am your legal wife now, David!
Victoria: You cannot speak to me like this in my own home!
David: This is not your home anymore.
David turned to Elena while keeping Lilly held securely in his left arm.
David: Elena, please go up to Lilly's room and pack her favorite clothes.
David: Then bring us some hot soup and fresh bread in the kitchen.
Elena: Right away, Mr. Davis!
Elena rushed up the grand curved staircase with a relieved expression on her face.
David walked past Victoria without giving her another glance or a word.
He carried his daughter toward the warm kitchen at the back of the mansion.
Victoria stood alone in the grand hallway, her hands clenched into angry fists.
She realized that her carefully built life of luxury was crumbling to pieces quickly.