Julian gently lifted Clara off the marble floor and moved her toward a nearby couch.
Her hands were shaking uncontrollably while white pearls rolled around their shoes.
The Dallas morning sun was still bright, making the whole scene look oddly peaceful.
Yet the fear inside the grand suburban living room was thick enough to choke on.
Julian took off his leather jacket and wrapped it carefully around Clara's cold shoulders.
He turned his head slowly to glare at the top of the grand staircase.
Victoria stood near the wooden railing without showing a single shred of regret.
She held the golden scissors casually at her side like a simple gardening tool.
Victoria: It was a terrible accident, Julian.
Julian: You cut her necklace and pushed her over the balcony!
Victoria: She tripped on her own dress like a clumsy child.
Clara: That is a lie!
Clara pushed herself up from the soft leather cushions with renewed energy.
Her green silk dress was torn at the hem, but her eyes held real anger.
Clara: You grabbed my neck and cut the cord with those gold scissors!
Victoria: Nobody will ever believe your ridiculous story in a court of law.
Julian: I saw it with my own eyes when I walked through the door.
Victoria smiled coldly and slowly tucked the scissors into her dress pocket.
She adjusted her silver hair and stepped back toward the upper hallway doors.
Victoria: You have no physical proof of anything, my dear stepdaughter.
Julian: We will see what the police say about that when they arrive.
Julian immediately reached into his pocket and pulled out his cell phone.
Victoria stopped in her tracks and turned around with a sharp glare.
Victoria: Put that phone away right now if you value your future in Texas.
Julian: My father worked for Clara's dad for twenty long years.
Julian: I won't let you steal her inheritance or take her life away.
Clara: Call the police right now, Julian.
Victoria laughed softly, a dry sound that echoed across the massive house.
She walked toward the upper guest room and slammed the wooden door shut.
The loud bang echoed through the house, leaving a heavy silence behind.
Julian quickly dialed emergency services while keeping his arm around Clara's shoulder.
Julian: We need police and medical help at the Sterling Estate immediately.
He spoke clearly to the dispatcher while checking Clara for any serious injuries.
Her ribs were sore from the violent fall, but no bones were broken.
If Julian had not burst through the front door, she would be dead.
Clara looked down at the bright marble floor covered in broken pearls.
She noticed one pearl had rolled inside a small hidden floor vent near the door.
Beside the vent sat a tiny black plastic lens blinking with a blue light.
Clara: Julian... look near the floor vent by the entrance.
Julian walked over quickly and knelt down on the cold white surface.
He pointed his finger toward a hidden security camera pointing right at the balcony.
Julian: Your father installed high-definition security cameras in every single room last year.
Clara: She forgot he updated the home security system before he died.
A sudden flash of hope washed over Clara's pale face as she stood up.
The whole attack from start to finish was caught on clear video footage.