The next afternoon, Arthur called the main house to report a major meeting delay.
He was stuck in a corporate boardroom downtown across the busy city center.
Victoria stood in the main foyer holding the receiver with a tight grip.
She slammed the landline phone down on the wooden side table in rage.
Elena was polishing the lower wooden railings of the central grand staircase.
She saw Victoria march upstairs furiously, her red velvet gown trailing behind her.
A few moments later, sharp cries echoed loudly from the upper nursery room.
Elena dropped her yellow polishing cloth immediately and turned toward the stairs.
She saw Victoria emerge onto the upper balcony holding baby Leo awkwardly.
The infant was crying loudly, frightened by the sudden, rough movement.
Victoria stood right against the polished railing on the top floor landing.
She looked down at the hard marble floor far below with dark anger.
Elena gasped in horror as she realized where Victoria was standing now.
The drop from the balcony landing was dangerous and completely unacceptable.
Elena: Mrs. Sterling, please step back from the upper railing right now!
Victoria: Mind your own business, you useless servant girl!
Elena: Please, you are putting the baby in extreme physical danger!
Victoria: I am sick of this child ruining my freedom and life!
Victoria raised her hands over the wooden railing in a sudden, wild motion.
She let go of the baby's wrapped blanket near the high edge.
Elena did not think about her own safety for even a fraction of a second.
She sprinted across the polished white marble floor with all her physical strength.
As the tiny bundle slipped downward, Elena launched herself forward into a dive.
She slid hard across the smooth marble floor, reaching her arms out wide.
Elena caught the small baby safely against her chest right above the floor.
The hard impact made her shoulder hurt, but she held the child tightly.
Baby Leo cried softly, tucked safe inside the maid's warm protective embrace.
Elena lay on her knees, gasping for air while weeping tears of relief.
Elena: You are safe, sweet little baby, I have got you now.
Footsteps thundered down the grand staircase as Victoria came rushing toward them.
Her face was pale with rage because her reckless act had failed.
She grabbed Elena's dark uniform collar roughly and tried to pull the baby away.
Victoria: Give me that kid right now, you foolish maid!
Elena: No! I will never let you touch this child again!