Julian stood motionless near the entrance as his heart hammered against his ribs.
He looked between his weeping maid and his visibly frantic new bride with confusion.
Evelyn put her hands over her face, faking heavy, desperate sobs of deep shock.
Evelyn: Julian, how can you let a simple maid insult me like this?
Clara: I saw her drop her with my own eyes, Mr. Montgomery!
Evelyn: I was only trying to show Lily the sunlight from the high window!
Evelyn: My hands were slick with lotion and she wriggled right out of my arms!
Julian rushed forward and took his crying daughter gently into his large, strong arms.
He pulled Lily close to his chest, kissing her soft hair over and over again.
The little girl held onto his expensive suit jacket with her tiny, shaking hands.
Julian: Shh, daddy has got you now, sweetie. You are alright.
Clara: Sir, I swear on my life, she intentionally let go of the girl.
Evelyn: Fire her immediately, Julian! She is trying to ruin our family!
Julian looked at Clara with a heavy, troubled expression in his dark eyes.
Clara had taken care of his family faithfully since his first wife had died.
She had never once lied to him or raised her voice in this home.
On the other hand, Evelyn was a woman he had known for only a year.
He looked at the high balcony railing high above the marble living room floor.
The drop was over fifteen feet down onto the uncarpeted stone floor below them.
A fall from that height could have easily killed his tiny, helpless little daughter.
His blood ran cold as the terrible reality of the situation sank into his mind.
Julian: Evelyn, why were you holding her so close to the open edge?
Evelyn: I told you, we were looking at the birds outside the balcony!
Clara: The balcony doors were closed, sir. She walked right to the rail.
Evelyn turned around sharply, her face twisting into an ugly expression of pure rage.
Evelyn: Keep your quiet mouth shut, you stupid, low-class little girl!
Julian: Do not speak to her like that in my presence, Evelyn!
Evelyn: You are taking the word of a hired servant over your own wife?!
Julian: I am trying to figure out how my daughter almost lost her life!
Julian set Lily down gently on the plush velvet sofa near the hallway entrance.
He stepped closer to Evelyn, his posture stiffening with immense anger and growing doubt.
Evelyn backed away slightly, her confident smile completely gone from her pale lips.
Evelyn: Julian, darling, you know how much I love this sweet child.
Clara: You never touch her when he is not at home, ma'am.
Evelyn: That is an absolute lie! I care for her every single afternoon!
Clara stepped forward, her voice surprisingly steady despite her shaking body and hands.
She knew she was risking her entire career and livelihood by speaking up today.
However, she could not let this dangerous woman harm the child ever again.
Clara: Check the hallway security cameras, Mr. Montgomery. They cover the upper landing.