Victoria jumped back in instant panic, her emerald green satin dress swishing as she frantically pulled her foot off the overturned table. Her face turned pale as paper, her eyes wide with absolute terror as she stuttered, trying to quickly compose herself. Julian stood near the doorway, clad in his black tuxedo from the morning charity gala meeting, his posture rigid and imposing. His jaw was clenched so tightly that the muscles in his cheeks twitched with controlled, intense fury. The silence in the high-key luxurious foyer was heavy, broken only by Clara's soft, painful groans on the marble floor.
Victoria: Honey... she... she just fell on her own! I was trying to help her up!
Julian: Enough.
Victoria: Julian, you have to listen to me! She slipped on the broken vase while throwing a violent tantrum!
Julian: Do not speak another word.
Victoria: I swear on my life, I didn't touch her! She's lying to make you hate me!
Julian ignored Victoria completely, not even giving her a single glance as he rushed down across the checkered floor. He dropped to his knees beside Clara, his hands trembling slightly as he tenderly placed his palm on her soft shoulder. He pulled her gently into his arms, carefully supporting her head and lower back away from the sharp ceramic shards scattered nearby. Clara buried her tear-stained face into his chest, her breath coming in ragged, terrified gasps as she held onto his collar tightly.
Julian: I'm here. I've got you, Clara. You're safe now.
Clara: Julian... the baby... she pushed me so hard...
Julian: Shh, don't move. I called the emergency paramedics the moment I heard her screaming at you from upstairs.
Victoria: Julian, this is ridiculous! You are taking the word of an unstable woman over your own family!
Julian: You are not my family, Victoria. You never were.
Victoria stepped closer, trying to force herself between Julian and Clara, her hands waving dramatically in the air. She thought she could still manipulate the situation, just like she had done with Julian's father for years. She raised her voice, trying to sound offended and hurt by his cold reaction, but her shaking hands gave away her extreme nervousness. She looked down at Clara with hidden malice, wishing she could silence her permanently before the medical team arrived at the front entrance of the estate.
Victoria: You have no proof of what happened in this hallway! It's your word against mine in court!
Julian: You really think I left my pregnant wife unprotected in this house with you wandering around?
Victoria: What are you talking about? There's no one else here!
Julian: Look up, Victoria.
Victoria's head snapped upward toward the high ceiling in sheer terror as her eyes widened in realization. The camera angle pushed in close on her pale face as she gasped for air. Mounted high up on the corner of the polished white archway was a sleek, modern black security camera. Its tiny lens was pointed directly down at the checkered floor where Victoria had just stood over Clara. A bright, red LED light was blinking steadily on the side of the camera body, recording every single second of the violent encounter in high definition.