Evelyn stood at the top balcony railing with a wicked smirk.
She held the priceless legal folder right over the open foyer drop.
Below the balcony, a decorative marble fountain sat directly in the center.
If the papers fell into the water, the ink would wash away.
Without those papers, Evelyn could claim full control of the estate.
She laughed softly, her voice ringing through the empty house.
Evelyn: Say goodbye to your precious child's future!
Maria: Please, Mrs. Vance, do not do this terrible thing!
Evelyn: You cannot tell me what to do in this house!
Maria: Mr. Vance trusted you to love his little girl!
Evelyn: He was a fool to ever trust anyone like me!
Evelyn opened her hand and let the heavy folder fall down.
Maria dropped her cleaning rag and sprinted across the slick floor.
She slid across the marble tiles on both her knees.
Maria stretched her arms out wide as the papers fluttered down.
She caught the heavy folder safely in her hands just in time.
The papers remained completely dry and safe from any destruction.
Maria hugged the documents tightly against her chest while crying.
She looked up toward the high balcony with tearful eyes.
Evelyn gasped in shock when she saw Maria catch the file.
Her evil smile vanished instantly from her pale face.
Evelyn: Give those papers back to me right now!
Maria: Never! These belong to baby Lily and her father!
Evelyn: I will fire you and kick you onto the streets!
Maria: You can fire me, but I will still protect her!
Evelyn gripped the polished balcony railing in pure rage.
She began hurrying down the wide grand staircase toward Maria.
Maria stood up quickly and held the folder behind her back.
Suddenly, the heavy double front doors swung open with a loud thud.
The sound echoed loudly through the high mansion ceiling.
A tall man stepped inside past the bright American flag.
It was David Vance, returning home earlier than anyone expected.
He carried his leather briefcase and looked very tired from work.
David stopped dead in his tracks near the entrance threshold.
He looked at his crying maid and his furious stepmother.
David: What on earth is happening in my house right now?
Maria: Mr. Vance, thank God you are back home!
Evelyn: David, darling, this maid has gone completely insane!
Maria pointed her shaking hand up toward the upper balcony line.
Maria: She tried to destroy your daughter's trust fund records!