Mark: Clara! Get back in here right now! Who are you calling?!
Clara: I called the police dispatcher, Mark. They're sending two squad cars to the estate right now.
Evelyn: Are you insane?! You flipped the table and slapped my son, and you're calling the police on him?!
Clara: He put his hands on my shoulders and cornered me against the wall before everyone walked into the dining room, Evelyn. Do you want me to show the police the red marks on my arms?
Mark: I was just holding you still so you would listen to reason!
Clara: You grabbed me, Mark. That is assault.
Mark stepped over a pile of broken porcelain, his face pale as he looked around at his relatives. His uncles and cousins were whispering among themselves, pulling out their phones to take pictures of the overturned table.
Mark: Put the phone away, Clara. Let's talk about this privately in the study.
Clara: There is nothing left to talk about privately. We've been married for six months, and every single week your family demands another piece of my life.
Evelyn: You married into the Sterling family! Our family reputation is built on unity and shared wealth!
Clara: Your family reputation is built on leeching off anyone who makes the mistake of joining this household.
Mark: That apartment downtown is worth two million dollars! My mother deserves to live in comfort!
Clara: That apartment belonged to my late mother, Mark. Her name is on the original title deed, and it was left to me in her estate trust.
Evelyn: Your mother is gone! She doesn't need a penthouse! I am alive and I need a place close to my doctor!
Clara: You have a six-bedroom mansion right here, Evelyn. You just want my apartment so you can rent it out and pocket the monthly income.
Mark: So what if she does?! It stays within the family business!
Clara: I am not part of your business, Mark. And after today, I am not part of this family.
Evelyn: Mark, don't let her walk out that door! If she leaves, she'll go straight to her divorce lawyer!
Mark rushed down the hallway after Clara, grabbing her wrist near the grand staircase.
Mark: You aren't leaving this house until you sign the deed agreement!
Clara: Let go of my wrist, Mark. I'm warning you.
Mark: Or what? You'll slap me again? Try it, Clara!
Clara didn't hesitate. She lifted her left hand, which held her heavy steel car key fob, and struck Mark firmly across the chest, forcing him to lose his grip and step back.
Clara: Touch me one more time and the police won't be the only ones arriving at this gate.
Mark: What is that supposed to mean?!
Clara: My father's legal team is already on their way here with a temporary restraining order and a full audit request for your family business.
Evelyn gasped, clutching her gold necklace as she stumbled down the hall toward them.
Evelyn: A financial audit?! Mark, what did she just say?!
Mark: She's bluffing! Her father is retired!
Clara: My father is retired from daily operations, Mark. But he still owns sixty percent of the commercial bank that holds your family's mortgage loans.