Elena stepped back, her hands beginning to tremble visible against her gold dress.
The cheerful mask she wore completely fell apart right in front of everyone.
Elena: Adrian, listen to me!
Elena: That video does not show the whole story!
Adrian: It shows you pushing a woman and a baby down the stairs!
Adrian: My baby, Elena! My innocent child!
Elena tried to reach out to touch his arm, but Adrian shoved her hand away.
The sound of his voice echoed loudly through the entire high-ceiling mansion.
Adrian: You stood there and told me Clara tried to hurt Lily!
Adrian: You tried to send an innocent woman to prison for your crime!
Clara stood up slowly, using the marble banister to support her weight.
She looked at the video screen and then back at the terrified stepmother.
Clara: Why would you do that to a little child?
Elena: Shut up! You are just a hired servant!
Adrian: Do not speak to her like that in my house ever again!
Maya stepped closer to her father, pointing at the glowing smartphone screen.
Maya: I have been watching her for weeks, Dad.
Maya: She has been searching online about your life insurance policy and estate will.
Maya: She wanted Clara gone so nobody would protect Lily when you were away.
The truth hit Adrian like a physical blow straight to his chest.
He remembered how quickly Elena had pushed to change his legal documents.
She had insisted on adding her name to the trust fund last month.
She wanted full control of the financial assets if anything happened to him.
He had trusted her completely, blind to her real motives until this moment.
Elena: Adrian, she is making things up! I love you!
Adrian: You loved my money, and you almost killed my daughter for it!
The front double doors opened with a heavy creak from the outside porch.
Two uniformed police officers stepped inside the brightly lit entryway.
Maya had called the local precinct before walking down the stairs with her phone.
The officers moved quickly across the marble floor toward the shouting family.
Officer Miller: We received a report of child endangerment and physical assault.
Adrian: Right here officer. Arrest this woman immediately.