Mark set Lily safely down behind Martha, who had rushed into the hall.
Mark: Take Lily into the kitchen and lock the doors, Martha.
Martha: Yes, sir, I will protect her with my life.
Mark turned back toward Victoria with his fists clenched tightly at his sides.
The woman in green tried to fix her dress and act calm.
Victoria: Mark, listen to me, the girl is exaggerating everything!
Mark: Do not ever speak her name again, you liar!
Victoria: I am the woman who was going to build a life with you!
Mark: You only wanted my money and my late wife's estate!
Mark stepped forward rapidly and confronted Victoria right on the balcony.
He raised his voice, shouting loudly enough to shake the high ceilings.
Mark: Get out of my house before I destroy you!
Victoria: You cannot throw me out, I have rights here!
Mark stepped into her space, his furious face inches away from hers.
Mark: Leave now!
Victoria saw the absolute fury in his eyes and realized her plan failed.
She stumbled backward in her high heels and grabbed her designer bag.
Victoria: You will regret choosing that worthless brat over me!
Mark: If you step foot on my property again, you go to prison!
Victoria turned around and rushed down the stairs as fast as she could.
She slammed the heavy oak front doors behind her with a loud crash.
Mark stood at the railing, breathing heavily as the house fell silent.
He walked quickly down to the kitchen to check on his little girl.
Lily was sitting on a wooden chair, drinking warm milk with Martha.
Mark dropped to his knees and wrapped his arms around his daughter.
Lily: Is the bad lady gone, Daddy?
Mark: She is gone forever, my sweet girl.
Lily: She wanted to take Mommy's house away from us.
Mark: Nobody will ever take this home away from you.
Martha brought a cold wet towel for the dark bruise on Lily's elbow.
Martha: We need to call your lawyer right away, Mr. Sterling.
Mark: I am calling the police and my legal team immediately.
Mark realized how blind he had been to Victoria's sudden appearance in his life.
He had let a dangerous snake into the home he built for his family.
He swore that he would protect his daughter's inheritance no matter what it took.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out his phone to call the authorities.
However, the night was far from over as a quiet knock hit the front door.