Mark reached down slowly into the stroller and pulled out the folded sheet of paper.
The heavy paper carried the official gold seal of the family law firm.
It was a copy of the trust fund document created by his late father.
His father had left half of the real estate firm to the first grandson.
If the grandson was deemed unsafe or missing, control shifted to Victoria.
Mark unfolded the paper with shaking hands under the bright lobby chandelier light.
Mark: This was locked in my private wall safe inside the study.
Sarah: The safe was already open when I ran past your study room.
Mark: She knew the code because my father always used our childhood home street address.
Sarah gently lifted the baby out of the stroller and held him tight against her shoulder.
The infant slowly stopped crying as she rocked him back and forth softly.
Sarah: They mentioned something about a custody hearing taking place this afternoon.
Mark: A custody hearing without notifying me first?
Sarah: The man in the suit said you were unfit due to your long work hours.
Mark clenched his fists until his knuckles turned completely white.
He had spent every evening with his son since his wife passed away last year.
He had turned down corporate deals to ensure he was home by six every night.
Victoria had tried to gain control of the family business three times already.
Each attempt had been blocked by the estate lawyers and corporate board members.
Mark: She is trying to use my son to take over the board of directors.
Sarah: She told the lawyer that you left the child alone without supervision today.
Mark: But you were hired specifically to care for him during my morning meetings.
Sarah: She tried to hand me an envelope full of cash to walk away quietly.
Mark looked into Sarah's green eyes with sudden deep respect.
Most people in her position might have been intimidated by a wealthy family member.
Instead, she had snatched the baby and sprinted down the stairs to find him.
Mark: Did you accept anything from her?
Sarah: I threw the envelope right back at her face and grabbed the baby stroller.
Mark: Thank you for protecting my son when I was not looking.
Sarah: I would never let anyone harm this little boy for money.
A loud sound echoed from the heavy oak front doors of the mansion.
The metal door handle turned slowly from the outside.
Mark stepped in front of Sarah and the baby, shielding them completely.
The heavy wooden door swung open to reveal Victoria wearing a dark suit.
Behind her stood a man holding a black leather briefcase and legal folders.
Victoria smiled coldly as she noticed her brother standing in the center of the hall.
Victoria: Hello Mark, I see you finally decided to join us downstairs.