Evelyn: Richard, please! You're making a massive mistake!
Richard: The only mistake I made was bringing you into this house!
Maria: Here, Mr. Sterling, let me put some ice on Leo's cheek.
Leo: Daddy, my face burns...
Richard: Shh, I know, buddy. Daddy's got you. Maria, take him upstairs to his bedroom immediately.
Maria: Right away, sir. Come on, little guy.
Richard watched his son walk away up the grand staircase, held tightly in the maid's arms, before turning back to Evelyn with cold, dark eyes.
Evelyn: You can't just throw me out! We are legally married, Richard!
Richard: This estate belongs strictly to my family trust. You don't own a single inch of it.
Evelyn: That doesn't matter! I have rights as your wife!
Richard: You lost every right you had the moment your hand made contact with my son's face.
Evelyn: He was being defiant! He was looking through things that don't concern him!
Richard: He was looking for a picture of his late mother!
Evelyn scoffed, brushing her dark hair out of her face, though her hand trembled slightly against her bruised cheek.
Evelyn: His mother is gone, Richard! I am the woman of this mansion now!
Richard: Not anymore you're not.
Evelyn: You think you can just fire me like one of your employees? I will sue you for everything you're worth!
Richard: Feel free to call your lawyer. But first, check your phone.
Evelyn pulled her phone out of her luxury handbag, her fingers sliding across the screen nervously.
Evelyn: What is this?
Richard: That is an alert from the bank. Your primary credit card has been frozen.
Evelyn: What?! You blocked my access?!
Richard: Every single card attached to my business account is locked down.
Evelyn: That is illegal! We signed an agreement!
Richard: Read clause fourteen of our prenup again, Evelyn. Any physical assault or domestic misconduct nullifies all financial support immediately.
Evelyn's face paled as the reality began to set in, her posture losing its posture of authority.
Evelyn: You... you put that in the prenup?
Richard: I put it there to protect my son from people exactly like you.
Evelyn: Richard, sweetie, look at me. I was just overwhelmed today...
Richard: Don't 'sweetie' me. I saw the look in your eyes when I walked through that door.
Evelyn: It was an accident! I didn't mean to hit him that hard!
Richard: You shouldn't have hit him at all!
Evelyn: What about us? What about our upcoming charity gala? The business associates coming over tomorrow?
Richard: The gala is canceled. And so is this marriage.
Evelyn: You are throwing away a high-profile marriage over a minor discipline issue?!
Richard: Striking a child isn't discipline, Evelyn. It's abuse.
Evelyn: He needs to learn who is in charge around here!
Richard: Oh, he knows who is in charge now. And so do you.
Richard pulled his cell phone from his suit pocket and dialed a speed-dial number, putting it on speaker.
Lawyer: Hello, Mr. Sterling. How can I assist you today?
Richard: David, draft the emergency divorce papers immediately. Full breach of prenuptial agreement.
Lawyer: Understood, sir. Should I file for an immediate restraining order as well?
Richard: Yes. Effective immediately.
Evelyn gasped, stepping forward to snatch the phone, but Richard held up a firm hand, stopping her in her tracks.