The foyer fell dead silent except for the faint hum of the air conditioning. Mark tapped his screen, his thumb hovering over the file list that popped up on his display.
Mark: There are three video files saved from yesterday afternoon.
Victoria: Mark, I'm warning you, this is a violation of my privacy in my own house!
Mark: YOUR house?! I paid for every single brick of this estate! I paid for your car, your clothes, your country club membership!
Victoria: I am your wife!
Mark: Then act like a human being!
He hit play on the first clip. The audio from the small phone speaker was crystal clear, cutting through the tense atmosphere of the entryway.
Audio (Victoria's voice on phone): Get back in there, you brat! Stop crying!
Audio (Lily's voice on phone): I want my daddy! I want my real mommy!
Audio (Victoria's voice on phone): Your real mommy is dead! I run this house now, and if you say one word to your father about the trust fund papers, I will make sure you never see daylight again!
Mark's face drained of all color. The red hue of anger was instantly replaced by a stark, terrifying pale shock.
Mark: What... what did you say about the trust fund papers?
Victoria: It... it was taken out of context! She was throw a tantrum, Mark! I was just trying to discipline her!
Clara: Discipline?! You locked her behind a fake wall, Victoria! That's child abuse!
Mark: My late wife left a five-million-dollar trust fund for Lily. A trust fund that transfers to you only if Lily suffers a severe medical disability or... or passes away before eighteen.
Victoria: Mark, no! You can't think I would ever—
Mark: You monster! You absolute monster!
Mark stepped forward, his body trembling with uncontrollable rage. He brought his palm down in a thunderous slap across Victoria's cheek, knocking her back against the grand marble pillar.
Victoria: Agh! You hit me! You hit me in front of the help!
Mark: YOU'RE FINISHED! CALL 911 RIGHT NOW, CLARA!
Clara: I'm dialing them right now, Mr. Vance.
Victoria: Don't you dare touch that phone, maid! You have no right!
Clara: 911, what is your emergency? Yes, I am at 442 Highland Estate Drive. We have a severe child abuse and endangerment case in progress.
Victoria: Stop her! Mark, tell her to hang up!
Mark: Keep talking, Clara. Give them every detail. Tell them to bring the police and Child Protective Services immediately.
Victoria: I have high-powered divorce lawyers, Mark! I will take half of everything you own! I will ruin your firm!
Mark: You won't get a single penny. That video proves child cruelty, felony endangerment, and attempted extortion. Your prenup is completely voided!
Victoria backed up toward the front entrance, her eyes darting toward the heavy mahogany doors. She grabbed her leather designer handbag from the console table.
Victoria: I'm leaving. You can't keep me here!
Mark: Try to leave, Victoria. Go ahead. The gates at the end of the driveway are locked electronically from my phone.
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