Marcus crossed the threshold in two massive strides, his navy shirt soaked in rain.
Marcus: Get away from her, Victoria.
Victoria: Marcus, darling, listen to me! I walked in and found her choking Maya!
Marcus: I said step back.
Victoria: She’s trying to cover up negligence! Call the estate security right now!
Marcus dropped to one knee beside the white rug, his large hands trembling as he lifted Maya against his chest.
Marcus: Maya? Maya, look at Daddy.
The infant let out a hoarse whimper, burying her small head into his collar.
Elena: Her pulse is steady now, Mr. Vance. Her airway was blocked with a synthetic ribbon.
Marcus glanced at the damp blue ribbon lying on the rug, his jaw hardening like granite.
Marcus: Where did this come from?
Victoria: The maid probably left it in the crib! You know how careless these workers are!
Elena: I have never seen that ribbon before in my life.
Victoria: You're lying! Marcus, she’s trying to sue us! She wants an insurance payout!
Victoria reached down, trying to grab Marcus's arm to pull him up.
Victoria: Hand Maya to me. I’ll take her to the private doctor. Fire this woman on the spot.
Marcus pulled his arm away with sudden force, holding his daughter tighter.
Marcus: Don't you dare touch her! She saved my daughter!
Victoria stumbled backward, her heel catching on the corner of the heavy crib.
Victoria: How can you take her side over mine? I am about to become your wife!
Marcus: That wedding is twelve days away, Victoria. And you haven't asked once if my baby is okay.
Victoria: Of course I care! That’s why I want this criminal out of our home!
Elena: I was cleaning the downstairs library when the nursery monitor crackled with strange noises.
Victoria: Shut your mouth! Nobody asked you!
Marcus: Let her finish, Victoria.
Elena: The baby monitor was switched to the wrong channel. When I ran up here, the door was locked from the outside.
Victoria’s face tightened, a twitch pulling at the corner of her lips.
Victoria: That’s ridiculous! Why would anyone lock the door?
Marcus: Yes, Victoria. Why would anyone do that?
Marcus slowly reached into his pocket and pulled out his black smartphone.
Victoria: What are you doing? Call the police on her!
Marcus: Oh, the police are definitely coming. But not for Elena.
Victoria’s eyes darted toward the small black dome embedded in the high white ceiling.
Victoria: Marcus... let’s talk about this downstairs in private.
Marcus: No. We are going to settle this right where my daughter almost stopped breathing.
The smartphone screen lit up, glowing against Marcus’s pale face.
Elena: Mr. Vance, the paramedics are downstairs. I hear the sirens entering the front gates.
Marcus: Go let them in, Elena. Take the master key.
Elena stood up quickly, brushing her damp apron, and hurried out the door.
Victoria moved closer to Marcus, her voice dropping into a desperate, silky whisper.
Victoria: Marcus, sweetheart, think about your public reputation. The corporate merger depends on our marriage.
Marcus didn't blink. He swiped his thumb across the glass screen, entering the security vault.
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