The upper balcony overlooked the massive marble floor of the central hall.
It was a drop of twenty feet from the carved wooden railing.
Lily walked upstairs to search for her missing yellow crayon on the table.
She did not hear Victoria walking quietly behind her in high heels.
Victoria grabbed the little girl by her small coat before she could react.
Victoria: You are the only thing standing between me and the fortune.
Lily: Let go of me! You are hurting my arm!
Victoria: Without you, Mark will leave every single property to me.
Lily gasped as she was lifted toward the high balcony edge.
The small girl gripped the railing tightly, her heart pounding with fear.
Victoria leaned over and shoved the child straight toward the open ledge.
Lily: Daddy!
Lily screamed as her shoes lost contact with the polished floorboards.
She dangled over the dangerous drop as the air rushed past her face.
Down below, Mark stepped out of his home office with his phone.
He heard the sharp scream of his daughter echoing across the walls.
His head snapped up and he saw the terrible sight on the balcony.
Mark: No! Lily!
Mark dropped his phone onto the floor and sprinted with all his speed.
Victoria let go of the girl's coat with a cold expression.
Lily tumbled through the open space toward the hard marble below.
Mark threw his body across the floor without thinking about his own safety.
He slid onto his knees across the polished stone just in time.
His strong arms reached out and caught the falling girl against his chest.
The violent impact knocked the breath straight out of his lungs.
They rolled across the floor together and hit the bottom stair post.
Mark held his daughter tightly as his chest heaved up and down.
Lily was sobbing uncontrollably and buried her face in his neck.
Lily: Daddy, she threw me over the balcony!
Mark: I have got you, baby, you are safe now!
Mark looked up and saw Victoria standing above them on the balcony.
She was staring down with an icy look, showing zero regret or fear.
A burning fire of rage exploded inside the father's protective heart.
He checked his daughter quickly to ensure she had no broken bones.
Lily was shaken and bruised, but she was alive and breathing in his arms.
Mark stood up carefully and held his crying daughter close to his chest.
His teeth were gritted as he glared directly at the evil woman.
Mark: You ruthless monster... You tried to kill my child!
Victoria: It was a terrible accident, Mark, she slipped!
Mark: I saw what you did with my own eyes!
Mark began carrying his daughter up the marble stairs at full speed.
His heavy footsteps thundered through the large house with dangerous force.
Victoria backed away slightly as the furious father reached the top landing.