An hour later, a sharp scream rang out through the entire upper floor.
Clara froze in place with a bundle of clean linens in her hands.
Victoria: Where is my diamond heirloom watch?
Victoria rushed out of her bedroom with her face red with anger.
Victoria: It was on my nightstand just two hours ago!
Clara: I have not been inside your bedroom today, ma'am.
Victoria: You were the only person up here all morning long!
Victoria walked toward Clara with her eyes wide and full of rage.
Victoria: Open your handbag right now so I can look inside!
Clara: Ma'am, I would never take anything from your home!
Victoria: Do not speak back to me in my own house!
Victoria grabbed Clara's small cloth handbag from the hallway chair.
She dumped the contents all over the polished marble floor.
Keys, coins, and a family picture scattered across the shiny ground.
The expensive diamond watch was nowhere to be found in the pile.
Victoria: You hid it somewhere else in your uniform!
Clara: Please, Mrs. Miller, search my uniform if you must!
Clara: I swear on my child's life I am innocent!
Victoria took two fast steps closer to Clara near the high railing.
Victoria: You are a lying, miserable thief!
Victoria raised her voice until it echoed off the white walls.
Victoria: Hand over your apron pockets this second!
Clara backed away slowly, reaching her heel against the edge of the step.
She could feel the cold empty air of the lower floor behind her.
Clara: Please stop, I am going to lose my balance!
Victoria lunged forward and grabbed Clara's shoulder with force.
Victoria: Get out of my house before I call the police!
Clara's right foot slipped on the smooth marble floor edge.
She tilted backward into space with a loud gasp of pure terror.