Richard sat at his dark mahogany desk and reviewed his personal life insurance policies.
He wanted to ensure that Maya held full ownership of the family trust fund estate.
Suddenly, a loud scream echoed from the central upper balcony across the high ceiling.
Richard dropped his gold fountain pen and rushed toward the grand double doors of his office.
He saw Maya leaning dangerously far over the wooden banister to retrieve her dropped toy.
Victoria stood right beside the small child without making any attempt to pull her back safely.
Richard: Maya, stand completely still right where you are right now!
Richard sprinted across the bright white floor as fast as his legs could carry him.
Maya lost her footing on the slick wooden step near the top balcony edge.
She tumbled backward into the open space just as Richard arrived directly beneath the landing.
Richard lunged forward frantically and caught his frightened daughter securely in his arms.
The impact knocked the breath from his chest as he held her tightly against his jacket.
Maya buried her small face into his suit shoulder and began crying hysterically from shock.
Maya: Daddy, I was so scared when I lost my balance up there!
Richard: I have you safe in my arms, sweetheart, nothing will hurt you.
Richard stood up from the floor while holding his sobbing daughter firmly against his chest.
Victoria hurried down the winding marble stairs with a pale, dramatic expression on her face.
Victoria: She slipped, Richard, it was a total accident that nobody could prevent!
Maya: She grabbed my doll and leaned me over the railing on purpose!
Richard felt a surge of cold fury wash across his heart as he listened.
He stared at his new wife with sharp, piercing eyes that demanded total honesty.
Richard: Is this how you protect my child when I am working downstairs?
Victoria: She is lying to get me in trouble, Richard, you know how dramatic children are!
Richard ground his teeth together so tightly that his jaw muscles twitched violently.
He pointed a trembling finger toward the massive wooden front exit doors of the foyer.
Richard: Do not move a single step until I check the security footage downstairs.
Victoria gasped sharply as her fake composure began to crumble under his intense gaze.
She backed away toward the living room furniture with a sudden look of utter panic.
Richard carried Maya into the private security control room hidden behind his broad study.
He booted up the high-definition cameras covering every square foot of the upper hallway.
The security video clearly showed Victoria cornering the small child against the banister.
It showed Victoria intentionally dangling the girl's doll directly over the steep marble floor drop.
Richard felt his hands shake as the shocking truth of her cruelty became undeniably clear.