Julian carried Lily over to the wide velvet sofa near the double staircase, setting her down gently.
An elderly housekeeper in a dark uniform rushed out from the dining room holding an ice pack.
Mary: Here, Mr. Julian! Put this on sweet Lily's cheek right away!
Julian: Thank you, Mary. Hold it right here for her.
Mary: I saw the whole thing from the kitchen, sir! That evil woman threw ice water straight into the child's face!
Victoria: You shut your mouth, old woman!
Julian: Do not speak to my staff, Victoria!
Mary: She slapped her so hard it made a loud popping sound, Mr. Julian! And then she kicked her while she was crying on the marble!
Julian: I saw the kick, Mary. I saw everything.
Julian's jaw tightened until his muscles twitched, his knuckles turning white as he clenched his fists.
Victoria: She was standing in my way! I was trying to walk toward the patio!
Julian: She is a child!
Victoria: I lost my temper! It happens to everyone!
Julian: Normal people don't kick weeping children when they lose their temper, Victoria. Monsters do.
Victoria backed up toward the front entrance doors as two large security guards in dark suits stepped into the hall.
Head Guard: Mr. Vance! We heard the shouting from the gate office!
Julian: Chief, hold Miss Victoria right where she stands. Do not allow her to step off this property.
Victoria: Hold me?! You can't detain me against my will! That's illegal!
Head Guard: We are detaining you for law enforcement, ma'am. The police are already through the outer gates.
Victoria's jaw dropped as she looked down the long private driveway, where red and blue lights were flashing through the tall trees.
Victoria: You called the police on me?!
Julian: I called the district prosecutor personally, Victoria.
Victoria: Julian, please! Think about our social standing! Think about the media headline!
Julian: The headline will read that an arrogant heiress was arrested for felony child abuse in my home.
Victoria: I'll apologize to the girl! I'll buy her whatever she wants! I'll pay for a private doctor!
Julian: My daughter doesn't need your dirty money. My estate is worth three billion dollars.
Victoria: Three... three billion?
Julian: Did you really think I brought you here today because I needed your father's small real estate firm?
Victoria stared at him, her chest heaving as a cold dread settled deep in her stomach.
Victoria: What... what are you saying?
Julian: I invited you here today because your father begged my board for a bailout loan last week.
Victoria's hands began to shake violently against her gold dress.
Victoria: My father begged you...?
Julian: He told me his daughter was a polite, well-educated woman who would make a wonderful representative for our charity foundation.
Victoria: I am a representative! I run three charity committees in the city!
Julian: You run those committees to put your face in magazines, Victoria. Today I saw who you really are when you think nobody of power is looking.