The paramedics moved quickly across the living room, dropping their heavy equipment right next to Chloe. They began assessing her vital signs while setting up oxygen equipment to save both her and her unborn child from further trauma.
Paramedic: Clear the floor! Give us room to work!
Mark: She's six months pregnant! She fell down the glass stairs!
Paramedic: Stay calm, sir. We're getting her stabilized right now.
The paramedics dropped to their knees, placing an oxygen mask over Chloe's pale face while securing her neck with a brace. Mark held her limp hand tight, tears streaming down his face as they carefully lifted her body onto the high rolling stretcher.
Officer Davis: Who called nine-one-one?
Elena: I did, Officer! That woman pushed her down the stairs!
Victoria: Officer, please. This is a private family matter, and my maid is hysterical.
Officer Davis: Ma'am, step back. What happened here?
Victoria: My daughter-in-law lost her balance near the glass balcony railing. She's been feeling dizzy all evening due to her pregnancy.
Elena: She's lying! Victoria shoved her because of the estate trust money!
Victoria: Officer, my name is Victoria Sterling. I own this penthouse and the building it sits in. I suggest you moderate your tone when speaking to me.
Officer Davis: I don't care who owns the building, ma'am. There's a pregnant woman being loaded into an ambulance with severe trauma.
Mark: Officer, don't let her leave! She tried to kill my wife and my unborn child!
Victoria: Mark, stop this madness! You're letting a maid turn you against your own mother!
Mark: You're not my mother anymore. Not after tonight.
Officer Davis: Is there any video footage of the incident?
Elena: Yes! Right up there! The camera points directly at the top of the stairs!
Victoria stepped toward the hallway, her right hand reaching quickly into her expensive maroon velvet handbag to reach her mobile phone.
Victoria: I need to call my personal attorney right now.
Officer Davis: Keep your hands where I can see them, ma'am. Nobody is leaving this room until we view that footage.
Victoria: This is police harassment! You have no right to hold me in my own home!
Elena: I have the password to the cloud monitor on Mr. Sterling's tablet right here!
Elena pulled a small black tablet from her grey uniform pocket, her fingers moving quickly across the glass screen. Victoria's face drained of all color as she watched the maid tap the video playback button. Officer Davis stepped closer, leaning over Elena's shoulder to watch the clear digital screen.
Officer Davis: Let's see what happened.
The video played clearly on the screen. Victoria's voice echoed from the tablet speaker, sharp and full of hatred. Then, the high-definition image clearly showed Victoria extending both arms and shoving Chloe backward over the dangerous stair threshold without hesitation.
Officer Davis: Ma'am, put your hands behind your back.
Victoria: What?! That video is altered! It's a digital fake created by the maid!
Officer Davis: Turn around right now, Mrs. Sterling!
Victoria: Do you know who my lawyers are?! You will lose your badge for this!
The officer grabbed Victoria's wrists, pulling them roughly behind her velvet dress and clicking the heavy steel handcuffs into place. The cold metallic sound rang out sharply under the crystal chandelier while Mark watched without a hint of pity in his eyes.
Mark: Take her away.
Victoria: Mark! Tell them to stop! You can't let them arrest your mother over a common gold-digger!
Mark: If my wife or my child dies tonight, Victoria... you will spend the rest of your life in a federal cell.