Arthur Vance wore a tailored charcoal three-piece suit after his long trip.
He carried his briefcase in one hand and his coat in the other.
He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw the tense scene before him.
His wife stood in her sparkling gown with her phone held high in anger.
His trusted maid stood near the center holding his small crying son wrapped tightly.
An open cold cooler box rested conspicuously right on the polished floor.
Arthur: What is going on here?!
Margaret's face changed in an instant from anger to fake panic.
She dropped her phone onto the couch and hurried toward her husband with tears.
Margaret: Oh Arthur, thank goodness you are finally home!
Margaret: This crazy maid stole your son from his warm nursery!
Margaret: She put him near that cold ice box to make me look bad!
Elena took a deep breath and stepped toward her employer with steady steps.
Elena: That is a complete lie, Mr. Vance!
Elena: Sir! She locked your freezing baby inside an ice cooler box to freeze him!
Arthur looked from Elena to his weeping wife, his expression growing dark.
He set his briefcase down on the table with a heavy thud.
Arthur: Is this true, Margaret?
Margaret: Of course not, darling!
Margaret: Why would I ever do such a terrible thing to your darling son?
Margaret: She is jealous because I am the lady of this mansion now!
Elena touched the baby's cold red cheeks gently so Arthur could see.
Elena: Look at his skin, sir. He is freezing cold right now.
Elena: I caught her closing the lid right before I pulled him out.
Arthur walked quickly over to Elena and touched his infant son's cold hands.
A wave of pure shock and anger washed over the wealthy man's face.
He turned his head slowly to face his wife near the framed flag.
Arthur: Explain this right now, Margaret!
Margaret backed away a step, her lip trembling as her story fell apart.
Margaret: Arthur, please listen to me...
Margaret: He wouldn't stop crying and I lost my patience for one second!
Arthur gasped in disbelief at her heartless confession.
Arthur: You put a baby in an ice box because he cried?!
The air in the grand room became tight with intense conflict and fury.