Clara rushed forward and fell down onto her knees beside her toddler.
Tears filled her tired eyes as she looked up at Julian fearfully.
Clara: Mr. Moretti, please! Forgive her, she is only three years old!
Clara: I will pay for the cake out of my monthly salary!
Julian stood still for a moment, looking at the mess on the floor.
The surrounding family members began to whisper angrily among themselves near the back.
Arthur: That maid should be fired immediately for letting her child destroy this!
Arthur: She ruined the whole party for my sweet nephew right now!
Julian raised his hand calmly to stop his brother's loud shouting.
He knelt down gently until he was eye level with little Lily.
The toddler did not look scared at all as she stood her ground.
Julian: Lily, look at me. Why did you push the cake off?
Lily: I had to do it, Mr. Julian!
Lily: I couldn't let Ethan eat the sweet white cake at all!
Julian: Why could you not let him eat it, little one?
Lily pointed her small fair finger straight toward the back corner of the room.
Her finger aimed directly at Arthur, who was standing beside the drinks table.
Lily: I saw that bad man put gray powder inside Ethan's cake!
Lily: He told me to keep quiet, but he put poison in there!
The entire ballroom gasped loudly at the little girl's clear words.
Arthur's face turned completely red as he stepped forward with anger.
Arthur: That is a complete lie from a clumsy three-year-old child!
Arthur: How dare a maid's daughter accuse me of such a crime!
Clara pulled Lily closer to her chest, trembling with terrible fear.
Clara: Lily never lies, but she must be confused right now!
Julian did not yell or shout at anyone in the big room.
His serious expression grew very cold as he stared at his brother.
He reached deep into his inner suit pocket with steady hands.
Julian carried special chemical test strips due to his severe food allergies.
He pulled out a single white paper strip from his leather case.
He pressed the strip directly into the ruined cake on the floor.