The tension inside the large home reached a dangerous breaking point that afternoon.
Mark carried Lily gently into the sunlit living room downstairs.
He set her down softly on the long leather sofa near the window.
He called his personal family doctor to check Lily for injuries immediately.
The doctor examined the young child carefully for any deep bruises.
Lily was shaken up but suffered no broken bones from the fall.
Victoria walked slowly into the room with a glass of water.
She tried to act like a caring stepmother in front of everyone.
"I am glad the child is safe," Victoria whispered soft words.
Mark turned toward Victoria with a cold look in his dark eyes.
"Do not pretend to care about my little girl," Mark hissed quietly.
Victoria set the water glass down on the thick glass table.
"You are letting a child's wild imagination ruin our marriage," Victoria claimed.
"She tripped over her own shoes on the steep steps," Victoria added.
Mark remembered the prenup agreement they had signed before the wedding.
The prenup stated Victoria would get nothing if she harmed his child.
Victoria knew this strict rule held a large financial risk for her.
She needed to prove that Lily was making up a big lie.
"Lily has always been jealous of me," Victoria insisted with force.
"She wants you all to herself, Mark," Victoria said calmly.
Lily hid her face behind a soft throw pillow on the couch.
"She pushed my back when you were in your office," Lily whispered.
Mark looked at both of them with deep stress on his face.
He loved his new wife, but he adored his young daughter immensely.
He did not know who was telling the whole absolute truth here.
The large estate felt full of cold doubt and rising dark secrets.
Mark called his chief security guard to enter the main foyer.
"Check the security cameras right now," Mark ordered his trusted employee.
Victoria's face turned pale when she heard the sudden strict order.
She stepped closer to Mark with a quick fake smile showing.
"The hallway camera has been broken since last week," Victoria claimed.
"You know the repair man has not come yet," Victoria added.
Mark remembered that the upper hall camera was indeed off lately.
Victoria felt a wave of relief wash over her sneaky heart.
She believed there was no real proof of her cruel action.
Mark looked down at his crying child with heavy sadness inside.
He knew he needed real evidence to protect his wealthy home.