The vast entrance hall of the luxury mansion was silent that sunny morning.
Light poured through the grand windows and hit the shining marble floor.
Seven-year-old Lily wore her favorite bright yellow dress as she walked near the balcony.
Her father, Mark, was working downstairs in his private home office.
Mark was a very wealthy CEO who owned a large tech firm.
He cared deeply for his daughter after his first wife passed away.
His new wife, Victoria, stood at the top of the stairs in burgundy.
Victoria hated the strong bond that Lily shared with her wealthy father.
She wanted Mark's vast inheritance and estate entirely for her own biological son.
Lily reached for the polished wooden railing to look down at the foyer.
Suddenly, a loud scream echoed through the multi-million dollar mansion.
Lily tumbled straight down the wide stairs onto the hard stone floor below.
The sharp sound of the impact echoed off the high ceiling chandeliers.
Mark dropped his heavy fountain pen inside his quiet home office instantly.
He rushed into the grand foyer with his heart pounding in fear.
He saw his small child lying near the bottom step in pain.
Mark slid across the shiny marble floor to reach his little girl.
He pulled Lily tightly against his suit jacket to protect her fragile frame.
The young child cried hysterically into her father's firm shoulder.
She buried her tear-stained face into his navy blue suit fabric.
Mark held her close and checked her arms for severe broken bones.
Lily sobbed loudly as she pointed a shaking finger toward the balcony.
She gasped for air while trying to speak to her father.
"Daddy, she threw me off the top balcony!" Lily sobbed loudly.
Mark looked up toward the upper floor with sudden cold rage.
Victoria stood at the edge of the railing looking down calmly.
Her arms were folded across her elegant burgundy silk designer dress.
Mark stood up while holding his small child securely in one arm.
His face turned red with white-hot anger at his cold bride.
"You vile monster!" Mark shouted across the large empty house.
"You almost murdered my daughter on this floor today!" he yelled.
Victoria took a quick step back and shook her head in denial.
"She slipped on her long yellow dress!" Victoria shouted back down.
"I did not touch her!" Victoria claimed in a sharp voice.
Mark pointed his free hand angrily at his new elegant wife.
"If you ever come near my child again, I will destroy you!" Mark roared.