Arthur: "Get out of the way, Lily! This careless servant almost ended your brother's life!"
Lily: "Dad, please! Just look at the screen! Look at what happened!"
Arthur paused, his chest heaving as the deep pulse of anger throbbed in his neck.
He turned his head toward the wall-mounted security monitor that continuously displayed high-definition feeds of the mansion's interior.
The screen hummed quietly, rewinding the live footage from thirty seconds prior in crisp four-kilobyte clarity.
On the display, the wide shot of the sunny luxury foyer appeared, showing the massive American flag in the background.
Arthur stared at the screen, expecting to see Elena lose her grip on the infant's stroller or trip near the balcony railing.
Instead, the video feed showed Elena standing near the center of the hall, working quietly with her feather duster.
Suddenly, the camera captured a dark figure on the second-floor balcony above her.
A pair of hands wrapped in black leather gloves lifted the swaddled baby high into the air and deliberately hurled him over the railing into the open space.
Arthur: "What... what is that?"
Lily: "Look at Elena, Dad! Watch her!"
On the monitor, the footage played in slow motion, showing Elena's instant reaction as she looked up, threw her duster aside, and dove across the marble floor.
The camera captured the exact moment her arms scooped the falling infant out of mid-air, absorbing the impact with her own body as she slid on the hard floor.
Arthur’s breath caught in his throat as the video repeated the terrifying throw and the miraculous catch.
Arthur: "She... she didn't drop him. Someone threw him."
Elena: "I was cleaning the baseboards, Mr. Sterling. I heard him cry and saw him falling. I swear I didn't let him go!"
Arthur stepped back, his eyes widening in stunned disbelief as his face drained of all color.
Arthur: "My God... someone tried to murder my son in my own home."
Lily: "I saw someone running away toward the west wing, Dad! They were wearing a dark coat!"
Arthur dropped to his knees on the cold marble beside Elena, his hands trembling as he looked at his crying infant son.
Arthur: "Is he hurt? Elena, tell me if he's bleeding!"
Elena: "He's fine, sir. He's just terrified. My arms took the brunt of the landing."
Arthur reached out and gently stroked his son's head before raising his eyes to meet Elena's frantic gaze.
Arthur: "I shouted at you... I blamed you."
Elena: "You were scared for your baby, Mr. Sterling. Anyone would react that way."
Arthur: "No, there is no excuse for what I said. You dove onto solid marble to save my boy."
He extended his hand toward her, his voice cracking with intense emotion.
Arthur: "Let me help you up, Elena. Please."
Elena carefully handed the baby into Arthur’s arms before taking his hand, wincing slightly as she stood up.
Lily: "Elena, your knees are bleeding!"
Elena: "It's just a scrape, sweetheart. I'll be fine."
Arthur: "Lily, go to my study and lock the door with the security keypad. Do not open it for anyone except me."
Lily: "Okay, Dad!"
Arthur turned back to the security monitor, his shock rapidly morphing into cold, calculated rage.
Arthur: "Elena, I need you to come with me to the security hub right now."
Elena: "Sir? Shouldn't we call the police first?"
Arthur: "The police won't get here in time to catch whoever is still inside this house. We have thirty cameras in this mansion, and I am going to find out who wanted my child dead."