Richard: What in God's name is going on in my foyer?
Maid: (Looking up in distress) Sir, she tried to drop him onto the floor! She threw me down the stairs!
Clara: Richard! Thank goodness you're here! The maid went crazy and tried to drop the baby!
Richard: Silence, Clara. I want the truth right now, and I see the security cameras right above us.
Maid: She held him over the edge! Look at him, he's terrified!
Clara: She's lying to get a payout from the trust fund! You know how these servants are!
Richard: Don't you dare call her a liar when my son is bruised and crying on the floor!
Richard's expression hardened into an intensely furious and enraged look, his jaw clenched so tight a muscle ticked violently near his cheek. A low, dramatic rumble seemed to emanate from the very air around him as he processed the horror of what his wife had attempted. He didn't hesitate for a single second; his boots hammered against the marble floor as he marched directly toward the grand staircase. The American flag hanging in the background felt like a silent witness to a domestic tragedy of epic proportions.
Clara: Richard, wait! Let me explain, the lawyers told me—
Richard: How dare you!
With overwhelming anger, Richard confronted Clara right in front of the patriotic backdrop, his hand moving with lightning speed to strike her across the face. The sharp crack of the slap echoed through the massive hall, silencing the baby's cries for a brief, stunned second. Clara stumbled backward, her dark teal satin dress catching on the banister as she grabbed her stinging cheek in absolute disbelief. A visible facial bruise began to form instantly under her makeup, marking the end of her reign of terror in the mansion.
Clara: (Weeping) Please... let me explain! It was just a moment of weakness!
Richard: Weakness? That was pure, unadulterated evil!
Clara: You can't do this to me! We have a prenuptial agreement, I am entitled to my share!
Richard: You aren't entitled to a single dime after what you tried to do to my flesh and blood!
Maid: Mr. Richard, please, let me take the baby to the East Wing away from this monster.
Richard: Yes, Maria. Take him to the nursery and lock the doors. Call Dr. Vance immediately.
Maria nodded quickly, gathering the infant securely into her arms and hurrying away from the confrontation toward the safety of the back corridors. Richard watched them go, ensuring his son was out of harm's way before turning his blazing eyes back onto his disgraced wife. Clara huddled against the wooden balustrade, trembling as she realized that no amount of money or high-priced divorce lawyers could save her from this level of betrayal.