Diane backed away toward the grand staircase, her heel catching on the bottom step. Her face was pale, all the sophisticated composure she usually projected instantly melting into raw terror. She glanced toward the front door, measuring the distance, but Marcus cut off her escape route with a swift, powerful stride.
Diane: "NO, NO, SHE'S LYING!"
Marcus: "YOU ARE GOING STRAIGHT TO FEDERAL PRISON! CALL 911 NOW!"
Lily: "Daddy, I have her phone! She left it on the table!"
Diane: "Give that back to me, you miserable little thief!"
Marcus: "Touch her and it will be the last thing you ever do!"
Lily scrambled behind the high leather couch in the living room, her small hands holding Diane’s unlocked phone. Screen text notifications were still flashing across the dark display—messages from an unknown contact discussing offshore wire transfers, untraceable liquid compounds, and high-payout life insurance policies waiting for confirmation of death.
Marcus: "Lily, read me what it says! Read it out loud!"
Lily: "It says... 'Is the dosage ready for Marcus?' and 'The insurance money will clear in three days.'"
Diane: "Shut up! Shut your mouth, you little brat!"
Marcus: "You absolute monster! You planned to kill me in front of my child!"
Diane: "You were going to change the will next week! You were going to leave everything in a trust for her!"
Marcus: "Because she is my daughter! You married me for a paycheck!"
Diane: "I deserved that money! I spent months playing the dutiful wife to you!"
Diane made a desperate move, lunging toward Lily to grab the phone out of her tiny hands. But Marcus reacted instantly, stepping into her path and grabbing her firmly by the wrist, swinging her away from his child with cold, decisive force.
Marcus: "Don't you ever lay a finger on my daughter again!"
Diane: "Let go of me! You're hurting my arm!"
Marcus: "You tried to murder me in cold blood! You're lucky I don't throw you down these stairs!"
Diane: "It was a mistake! We can work this out, Marcus, please! Think of the publicity!"
Marcus: "The publicity is the least of your concerns, Diane. Your life as a socialite is over."
Diane: "Please! I'll sign the prenuptial amendments! I'll leave quietly!"
Marcus: "You're leaving, all right. In the back of a police cruiser."
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