Brandon: Maria, take Lily down to the kitchen. Put ice wrapped in a clean towel on her arm, and call Dr. Vance immediately.
Maria: Yes, Mr. Sterling! Right away!
Victoria: Don't you touch that child, Maria!
Brandon: Step back, Victoria! Take one more step toward my daughter and I swear to God I will throw you out of these double doors myself!
Maria quickly stepped forward, gently taking Lily from Brandon's arms. The little girl clung to the maid's uniform, her weeping finally subsiding into quiet, rhythmic sobs as Maria carried her out of the luxury bathroom[cite: 1, 2]. Brandon stood in the center of the marble floor, blocking the exit entirely[cite: 1, 4]. He pulled his smartphone from his suit pocket and swiped the screen open with a firm thumb[cite: 4].
Victoria: Who are you calling?
Brandon: I'm calling Arthur Vance, my estate lawyer. And then I'm calling the Dallas Police Department.
Victoria: Brandon, please! We can talk about this like rational adults! I was stressed, I lost my temper!
Brandon: Burning a child isn't losing your temper, Victoria. It's felony child abuse and assault with a deadly weapon.
Victoria: You wouldn't put your own wife in prison!
Brandon: You're not my wife anymore. The prenuptial agreement we signed five years ago explicitly states that any act of violence against my bloodline voids your financial claims and grants an immediate divorce.
Victoria froze, her wide eyes staring at the phone in Brandon's hand in utter disbelief[cite: 4, 5]. Her hands began to shake as the full legal reality of her actions crashed down upon her[cite: 1].
Arthur: Hello, Brandon? It's Arthur Vance.
Brandon: Arthur, I need you to file emergency divorce papers and an immediate restraining order against Victoria Sterling. I also need officers dispatched to the mansion immediately.
Arthur: Good Lord, Brandon... what happened?
Brandon: She just burned my daughter Lily's arm with a lighter inside the master bathroom while attempting to extort the estate vault keys from her.
Arthur: I am filing the emergency protective order with the Dallas County judge right now, Brandon. Officers will be at your front gate in ten minutes. Do not let her leave the premises.
Brandon: She isn't going anywhere.