The front door opened twenty minutes later, and Arthur walked in holding a thick leather briefcase. He took one look at the red marks on Lily's wrists and the severe posture of Mark sitting by her side.
Arthur: Good Lord, Mark. Is the baby alright?
Mark: She'll be fine once this trash is removed from my estate.
Brenda: Don't call me trash! Arthur, tell him he's being completely irrational! He kicked me in front of the neighbors!
Arthur: Brenda, I suggest you take a seat and keep quiet. I've seen the security footage from the front porch camera already while driving over.
Brenda: What camera?!
Mark: You thought I didn't install security cameras after my late wife passed away? Every inch of the front driveway, porch, and hallway is recorded on cloud storage, Brenda.
Brenda: That's an invasion of my privacy!
Arthur: Actually, it's state evidence. And based on what I saw on the remote feed, Mark has full legal grounds to press charges for child abuse and domestic violence immediately.
Brenda: Child abuse?! It was a slap on the hand! Parents do that all the time!
Mark: Not to my daughter, and not until she's bruised. Show her the papers, Arthur.
Arthur unzipped his briefcase and laid three sets of heavy documents onto the marble glass table.
Arthur: Under section four of your prenuptial agreement, any act of physical harm or endangerment toward Mark's biological child immediately voids all spousal support, lump-sum alimony, and claim to joint assets.
Brenda: What?! I signed that two years ago! You said it was just standard paperwork for his company's board of directors!
Mark: I put that clause in specifically because I promised my late wife I would protect Lily with everything I had. You swore you loved her like your own daughter.
Brenda: I do love her! I was just stressed! The house is a mess, the nanny quit, and you're always working at the firm!
Mark: Don't blame my work for your cruel behavior!
Lily: Daddy... my arm hurts again.
Mark immediately softened his tone, pulling an ice pack from a towel on the table and gently pressing it to Lily's small wrist.
Mark: I know, sweetheart. Take a sip of water. Daddy is taking care of everything.
Brenda: Mark, please! Think about our reputation! If this gets out to your business partners, what will they say?
Mark: They'll say I did what any real father would do. Arthur, start the foreclosure notice on the secondary townhouse we bought in her name.
Brenda: You can't take my townhouse! That was bought with money from our joint account!
Arthur: An account funded exclusively by Mark's earnings. Since the marriage is being annulled under the breach of conduct clause, title reverts entirely to Mark's estate trust.
Brenda: This isn't fair! You trapped me!
Mark: You trapped yourself the moment you thought you could abuse a defenseless child behind my back.
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