The tension inside the luxury mansion foyer reached a boiling point, the bright daylight doing nothing to soften the harsh reality of the unfolding nightmare. Marcus took another steady step toward Victoria, his eyes locked onto hers with a chilling intensity that left no room for escape. Victoria pressed her back against the decorative water tank, her manicured fingers clawing slightly at the smooth glass as she realized her usual manipulation tactics had completely failed.
Victoria: Don't you dare touch me, Marcus. You'll destroy your own reputation along with mine.
Marcus: My reputation is the last thing on my mind right now. My son is what matters.
Marcus raised his hand in a swift, sharp motion, the air cutting through the silence of the grand room before anyone could blink.
Victoria: Wait—!
The heavy crack of a hard slap echoed off the high ceiling, sending Victoria spinning sideways onto the bright white marble floor. She let out a sharp gasp as the impact knocked the wind out of her lungs, her green sequin gown twisting around her legs as she collapsed awkwardly against the stone. The high-key aesthetic of the room felt blindingly bright, casting zero shadows to hide her sudden, humiliating downfall.
Elena: Oh...!
Elena turned her head slightly, shielding her baby's eyes from the violent scene unfolding just a few feet away.
Victoria: You hit me... You actually laid your hands on me!
Victoria propped herself up on one elbow, her cheek turning a angry shade of red where Marcus's hand had struck her.
Marcus: That was for putting your hands on my son. And it's only the beginning.
Marcus reached down, his fingers gripping the expensive fabric of her sleeve with brutal force as he hauled her upward to her feet. Victoria stumbled, her high heels clicking frantically against the marble as she tried to regain her balance while being dragged toward the grand exit.
Victoria: Let go of me! Get your hands off my dress! Security! Do something!
Near the front doors, two private security officers stood at attention, watching the spectacle with completely neutral, professional expressions. They made no move to help her, having already reviewed the digital footage Marcus transmitted to their tablets moments before.
Head Security Guard: We're not moving a muscle, Ms. Vance. Mr. Marcus gave us our orders.
Victoria: You're all going to pay for this! My father will sue every single one of you into bankruptcy!
Marcus: Your father's corporate lawyers dropped you the second I sent them the security clip. You're entirely on your own now, Victoria.
Marcus pulled her firmly across the expansive foyer, her desperate protests echoing off the luxury walls as they approached the threshold.
Victoria: You can't do this to me! I belong in this house!
Marcus: You belong somewhere else entirely.
Marcus threw open the heavy mahogany doors, revealing the flashing red and blue lights of federal vehicles waiting at the bottom of the grand stone steps.
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