Mark lifted Lily up in his arms and stood up tall on the wide balcony hallway.
His face was red with pure fury as he stared directly into Victoria's wide terrified eyes.
Victoria backed up against the wall near a large framed painting of the family estate grounds.
Mark: Don't you ever dare touch my child or her things again!
Victoria: Mark, please darling, you are completely misunderstanding what just happened up here!
Mark: I stood right behind that pillar and heard every single word you just said to her.
Victoria: I was only playing a silly game to teach her about safety rules!
Lily: She lied, Daddy, she told me that bad things happen to small kids!
Mark set Lily down gently behind his legs and pointed a angry finger right at Victoria's face.
Victoria's hands trembled as she reached out toward the heavy gold frame on the wall for balance.
She lost her footing slightly on her high heels and stumbled back onto the polished floor hard.
She landed in a sitting position on the smooth surface while clutching her bruised elbow in pain.
Tears of frustration and panic rolled down her cheeks as she looked up at her angry stepson.
Victoria: Please, listen to me, I have lived in this mansion for years with your father!
Mark: My father would be completely disgusted by your cruel behavior toward his only granddaughter.
Victoria: I was trying to protect this family from making terrible choices with the estate money!
Mark: You were only ever interested in the money and power this home represented to you.
The house maid Sarah ran into the foyer after hearing the loud yelling from the upper floor.
She looked up at the balcony in horror as she saw Victoria sitting on the ground sobbing hysterically.
Mark picked Lily back up into his arms and held her close against his firm grey suit shoulder.
He walked slowly down the grand marble staircase while keeping his steady eyes locked straight ahead.
Victoria scrambled to her feet awkwardly and held onto the heavy wooden banister for physical support.
Victoria: You cannot just throw me out like trash after everything I gave to your father!
Mark: Get out of my house right now before I call the local sheriff to escort you off!
Victoria: You will regret this decision, Mark, I have legal rights to this entire estate property!
Mark ignored her shrieking voice as he reached the bottom of the grand staircase with his daughter.
He handed Lily over to Sarah and asked the loyal maid to take her into the sunny kitchen.
Mark: Sarah, please make sure Lily gets a warm glass of milk and her favorite snack.
Sarah: Right away, sir, I will take very good care of her downstairs right now.
Mark turned around at the foot of the stairs to confront the cruel woman standing on the landing.