Arthur stepped forward with slow deliberate movements that filled the quiet room with immense tension.
Elena backed away until her heels bumped against the heavy wooden front door frame.
She tried to maintain her calm high-society composure, but her nervous breathing gave her away.
Elena: You are overreacting to a simple misunderstanding, Arthur!
Arthur: Pulling a tiny child across a hard floor is not a simple misunderstanding!
His voice echoed off the tall walls with commanding authority that rattled the fine glass chandelier above.
Clara slowly rose to her feet and stood behind Arthur as a brave witness to the truth.
Clara: I have recorded video footage on my phone of how she acts when you leave town!
Elena turned her glare toward Clara with sudden venomous hatred in her dark eyes.
Elena: You backstabbing little servant, I will make sure you never work in this town again!
Arthur: Stop threatening my staff in my own house!
Arthur handed little Leo carefully to Clara who wrapped the boy in a soft blanket.
The maid stepped back into a safe corner of the foyer to keep the child protected.
Arthur turned back to face Elena with absolute anger burning inside his chest.
He walked directly up to her until he stood just inches away from her face.
Arthur: Why would you treat an innocent motherless child with such cruel coldness?
Elena's fake smile completely crumbled into a sharp bitter scowl.
She realized that her elaborate performance was finally over and could no longer save her.
Elena: Because I never wanted to play the role of a loving mother to your son!
She sneered openly while crossing her arms tightly across her beige designer dress.
Elena: I married you for the luxury lifestyle and the massive family inheritance!
Arthur felt as though a knife had been driven straight into his trusting heart.
He gritted his teeth firmly as his jaw clenched with intense suppressed wrath.
The woman he had brought into his home had viewed his sweet child as nothing more than leverage.
Arthur: You are a deeply selfish and heartless person, Elena.
Elena: Say whatever you want, but half of this estate belongs to me under our marriage contract!
She laughed dryly while reaching for the gold door handle behind her back.
Elena: My top divorce lawyer will be contacting your legal team by tomorrow morning!
Arthur: You think you are walking away from this with my family wealth?
He pulled his phone from his navy jacket pocket with steady determination.
Arthur: You are not getting a single penny from my estate or my trust funds.